Title 49—Transportation--Volume 1
PART 571—FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS
§ 571.222   Standard No. 222; School bus passenger seating and crash protection.
S1. Scope. This standard establishes occupant protection requirements for school bus passenger seating and restraining barriers.
S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths and the severity of injuries that result from the impact of school bus occupants against structures within the vehicle during crashes and sudden driving maneuvers.
S3. Application. This standard applies to school buses.
S4. Definitions. Contactable surface means any surface within the zone specified in S5.3.1.1 that is contactable from any direction by the test device described in S6.6, except any surface on the front of a seat back or restraining barrier 76 mm or more below the top of the seat back or restraining barrier.
Fixed occupancy seat means a bench seat equipped with Type 2 seat belts that has a permanent configuration regarding the number of seating positions on the seat. The number of seating positions on the bench seat cannot be increased or decreased.
Flexible occupancy seat means a bench seat equipped with Type 2 seat belts that can be reconfigured so that the number of seating positions on the seat can change. The seat has a minimum occupancy configuration and maximum occupancy configuration, and the number of passengers capable of being carried in the minimum occupancy configuration must differ from the number of passengers capable of being carried in the maximum occupancy configuration.
Maximum occupancy configuration means, on a bench seat equipped with Type 2 seat belts, an arrangement whereby the lap belt portion of the Type 2 seat belts is such that the maximum number of occupants can be belted.
Minimum occupancy configuration means, on a bench seat equipped with Type 2 seat belts, an arrangement whereby the lap belt portion of the Type 2 seat belts is such that the minimum number of occupants can be belted.
School bus passenger seat means a seat in a school bus, other than the driver's seat.
Seat bench width means the maximum transverse width of the bench seat cushion.
Small occupant seating position means the center seating position on a flexible occupancy seat in a maximum occupancy configuration, if the torso belt portion of the Type 2 seat belt is intended to restrain occupants whose dimensions range from those of a 50th percentile 6 year-old child only to those of a 50th percentile 10 year-old child and the torso belt anchor point cannot achieve a minimum height of 520 mm above the seating reference point, as specified by S4.1.3.2(a) of 49 CFR 571.210.
Wheelchair means a wheeled seat frame for the support and conveyance of a physically disabled person, comprised of at least a frame, seat, and wheels.
Wheelchair occupant restraint anchorage means the provision for transferring wheelchair occupant restraint system loads to the vehicle structure.
Wheelchair securement anchorage means the provision for transferring wheelchair securement device loads to the vehicle structure.
Wheelchair securement device means a strap, webbing or other device used for securing a wheelchair to the school bus, including all necessary buckles and other fasteners.
S4.1 Determination of the number of seating positions and seat belt positions
(a) The number of seating positions considered to be in a bench seat for vehicles manufactured before October 21, 2011 is expressed by the symbol W, and calculated as the seat bench width in millimeters divided by 381 and rounded to the nearest whole number.
(b) The number of seating positions and the number of Type 1 seat belt positions considered to be in a bench seat for vehicles manufactured on or after October 21, 2011 is expressed by the symbol W, and calculated as the seat bench width in millimeters divided by 380 and rounded to the nearest whole number.
(c) Except as provided in S4.1(d), the number of Type 2 seat belt positions on a flexible occupancy seat in a minimum occupancy configuration or a fixed occupancy seat for vehicles manufactured on or after October 21, 2011 is expressed by the symbol Y, and calculated as the seat bench width in millimeters divided by 380 and rounded to the next lowest whole number. The minimum seat bench width for a seat equipped with a Type 2 seat belt is 380 mm. See Table 1 for an illustration.
(d) A flexible occupancy seat meeting the requirements of S4.1(c) may also have a maximum occupancy configuration with Y + 1 Type 2 seat belt positions, if the minimum seat bench width for this configuration is Y + 1 times 330 mm. See Table 1 for an illustration.
(e) A flexible occupancy seat equipped with Type 2 seat belts in a maximum occupancy configuration may have up to one single small occupant seating position.
Table 1—Number of Seating Positions as a Function of Seat Bench Width
S5. Requirements.
(a) Large school buses.
(1) Each school bus manufactured before October 21, 2011 with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) shall be capable of meeting any of the requirements set forth under this heading when tested under the conditions of S6. However, a particular school bus passenger seat (i.e., a test specimen) in that weight class need not meet further requirements after having met S5.1.2 and S5.1.5, or having been subjected to either S5.1.3, S5.1.4, or S5.3.
(2) Each school bus manufactured on or after October 21, 2011 with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) shall be capable of meeting any of the requirements set forth under this heading when tested under the conditions of S6 of this standard or § 571.210. However, a particular school bus passenger seat (i.e., a test specimen) in that weight class need not meet further requirements after having met S5.1.2 and S5.1.5, or having been subjected to either S5.1.3, S5.1.4, S5.1.6 (if applicable), or S5.3. If S5.1.6.5.5(b) is applicable, a particular test specimen need only meet S5.1.6.5.5(b)(1) or (2) as part of meeting S5.1.6 in its entirety. Each vehicle with voluntarily installed Type 1 seat belts and seat belt anchorages at W seating positions in a bench seat, voluntarily installed Type 2 seat belts and seat belt anchorages at Y seat belt positions in a fixed occupancy seat, or voluntarily installed Type 2 seat belts and seat belt anchorages at Y and Y + 1 seat belt positions in a flexible occupancy seat, shall also meet the requirements of:
(i) S4.4.3.2 of Standard No. 208 (49 CFR 571.208);
(ii) Standard No. 209 (49 CFR 571.209), as they apply to school buses; and,
(iii) Standard No. 210 (49 CFR 571.210) as it applies to school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds.
(b) Small school buses. Each vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) or less shall be capable of meeting the following requirements at all seating positions:
(1)(i) In the case of vehicles manufactured before September 1, 1991, the requirements of §§ 571.208, 571.209, and 571.210 as they apply to multipurpose passenger vehicles;
(ii) [Reserved]
(iii) In the case of vehicles manufactured on or after October 21, 2011 the requirements of S4.4.3.2 of § 571.208 and the requirements of §§ 571.207, 571.209 and 571.210 as they apply to school buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less; and,
(2) The requirements of S5.1.2, S5.1.3, S5.1.4, S5.1.5, S5.1.6, S5.1.7, S5.3, S5.4 and S5.5 of this standard. However, the requirements of §§ 571.208 and 571.210 shall be met at Y seat belt positions in a fixed occupancy seat, and at Y and Y + 1 seat belt positions for a flexible occupancy seat. A particular school bus passenger seat (i.e. a test specimen) in that weight class need not meet further requirements after having met S5.1.2 and S5.1.5, or after having been subjected to either S5.1.3, S5.1.4, S5.1.6, or S5.3 of this standard or § 571.207, § 571.210 or § 571.225.
S5.1 Seating requirements. School bus passenger seats shall be forward facing.
S5.1.1 [Reserved]
S5.1.2 Seat back height, position, and surface area.
(a) For school buses manufactured before October 21, 2009, each school bus passenger seat must be equipped with a seat back that has a vertical height of at least 508 mm (20 inches) above the seating reference point. Each school bus passenger seat must be equipped with a seat back that, in the front projected view, has front surface area above the horizontal plane that passes through the seating reference point, and below the horizontal plane 508 mm (20 inches) above the seating reference point, of not less than 90 percent of the seat bench width in millimeters multiplied by 508.
(b) For school buses manufactured on or after October 21, 2009, each school bus passenger seat must be equipped with a seat back that has a vertical height of at least 610 mm (24 inches) above the seating reference point. The minimum total width of the seat back at 610 mm (24 inches) above the seating reference point shall be 75 percent of the maximum width of the seat bench. Each school bus passenger seat must be equipped with a seat back that, in the front projected view, has front surface area above the horizontal plane that passes through the seating reference point, and below the horizontal plane 610 mm (24 inches) above the seating reference point, of not less than 90 percent of the seat bench width in millimeters multiplied by 610.
S5.1.3 Seat performance forward. When a school bus passenger seat that has another seat behind it is subjected to the application of force as specified in S5.1.3.1 and S5.1.3.2, and subsequently, the application of additional force to the seat back as specified in S5.1.3.3 and S5.1.3.4:
(a) The seat back force/deflection curve shall fall within the zone specified in Figure 1;
(b) Seat back deflection shall not exceed 356 mm; (for determination of (a) and (b) the force/deflection curve describes only the force applied through the upper loading bar, and only the forward travel of the pivot attachment point of the upper loading bar, measured from the point at which the initial application of 44 N of force is attained.)
(c) The seat shall not deflect by an amount such that any part of the seat moves to within 102 mm of any part of another school bus passenger seat or restraining barrier in its originally installed position;
(d) The seat shall not separate from the vehicle at any attachment point; and
(e) Seat components shall not separate at any attachment point.
S5.1.3.1 Position the loading bar specified in S6.5 so that it is laterally centered behind the seat back with the bar's longitudinal axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in any horizontal plane between 102 mm above and 102 mm below the seating reference point of the school bus passenger seat behind the test specimen.
S5.1.3.2 Apply a force of 3,114W newtons horizontally in the forward direction through the loading bar at the pivot attachment point. Reach the specified load in not less than 5 nor more than 30 seconds.
S5.1.3.3 No sooner than 1.0 second after attaining the required force, reduce that force to 1,557W newtons and, while maintaining the pivot point position of the first loading bar at the position where the 1,557W newtons is attained, position a second loading bar described in S6.5 so that it is laterally centered behind the seat back with the bar's longitudinal axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in the horizontal plane 406 mm above the seating reference point of the school bus passenger seat behind the test specimen, and move the bar forward against the seat back until a force of 44 N has been applied.
S5.1.3.4 Apply additional force horizontally in the forward direction through the upper bar until 452W joules of energy have been absorbed in deflecting the seat back (or restraining barrier). Apply the additional load in not less than 5 seconds nor more than 30 seconds. Maintain the pivot attachment point in the maximum forward travel position for not less than 5 seconds nor more than 10 seconds and release the load in not less than 5 nor more than 30 seconds. (For the determination of S5.1.3.4 the force/deflection curve describes only the force applied through the upper loading bar, and the forward and rearward travel distance of the upper loading bar pivot attachment point measured from the position at which the initial application of 44 N of force is attained.)
S5.1.4 Seat performance rearward. When a school bus passenger seat that has another seat behind it is subjected to the application of force as specified in S5.1.4.1 and S5.1.4.2:
(a) Seat back force shall not exceed 9,786 N;
(b) Seat back deflection shall not exceed 254 mm; (for determination of (a) and (b) the force/deflection curve describes only the force applied through the loading bar, and only the rearward travel of the pivot attachment point of the loading bar, measured from the point at which the initial application of 222 N is attained.
(c) The seat shall not deflect by an amount such that any part of the seat moves to within 102 mm of any part of another passenger seat in its originally installed position;
(d) The seat shall not separate from the vehicle at any attachment point; and
(e) Seat components shall not separate at any attachment point.
S5.1.4.1 Position the loading bar described in S6.5 so that it is laterally centered forward of the seat back with the bar's longitudinal axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in the horizontal plane 343 mm above the seating reference point of the test specimen, and move the loading bar rearward against the seat back until a force of 222 N has been applied.
S5.1.4.2 Apply additional force horizontally rearward through the loading bar until 316W joules (J) of energy has been absorbed in deflecting the seat back. Apply the additional load in not less than 5 seconds nor more than 30 seconds. Maintain the pivot attachment point in the maximum rearward travel position for not less than 5 seconds nor more than 10 seconds and release the load in not less than 5 seconds nor more than 30 seconds. (For determination of S5.1.4.2 the force deflection curve describes the force applied through the loading bar and the rearward and forward travel distance of the loading bar pivot attachment point measured from the position at which the initial application of 222 N of force is attained.)
S5.1.5 Seat cushion latching and retention.
(a) School bus passenger seat cushions equipped with attachment devices that allow for the seat cushion to be removable without tools or to flip up must have a self-latching mechanism that latches when subjected to the conditions specified in S5.1.5.1. The seat cushion shall not separate from the seat at any attachment point when subjected to the conditions specified in S5.1.5.2 after being subjected to the conditions of S5.1.5.1.
(b) School bus passenger seat cushions that are removable only with the use of tools shall not separate from the seat at any attachment point when subjected to the conditions of S5.1.5.2.
S5.1.5.1 Release the seat cushion self-latching mechanism. Lift the seat cushion then place the seat cushion back in the down position without activating the self-latching mechanism, if possible. Apply a downward force of 216 N (48.4 pounds) to the center of the seat cushion. The downward force shall be applied in any period of not less than 1 and not more than 5 seconds, and maintained for 5 seconds.
S5.1.5.2 Apply an upward force of 5 times the weight of the seat cushion to the center of the bottom of the seat cushion. The upward force shall be applied in any period of not less than 1 and not more than 5 seconds, and maintained for 5 seconds.
S5.1.6 Quasi-static test of compartmentalization and Type 2 seat belt performance. This section applies to school buses manufactured on or after October 21, 2011 with a gross vehicle weight rating expressed in the first column of Tables 2 through 4, and that are equipped with Type 2 seat belt assemblies.
(a) Except as provided in S5.1.6(b), when tested under the conditions of S5.1.6.5.1 through S5.1.6.5.6, the criteria specified in S5.1.6.1 and S5.1.6.2 must be met.
(b) A school bus passenger seat that does not have another seat behind it is not loaded with the upper and lower loading bars as specified in S5.1.6.5.2, S5.1.6.5.3, and S5.1.6.5.7 and is excluded from the requirements of S5.1.6.1(b).
S5.1.6.1 Displacement limits. In Tables 2 and 3, AH is the height in millimeters of the school bus torso belt anchor point specified by S4.1.3.2(a) of Standard No. 210 (49 CFR 571.210) and Φ is the angle of the posterior surface of the seat back defined in S5.1.6.3 of this standard.
(a) Any school bus torso belt anchor point, as defined in S3 of Standard No. 210, must not displace horizontally forward from its initial position (when Φ was determined) more than the value in millimeters calculated from the following expression in the second column of Table 2:
Table 2—Torso Belt Anchor Point Displacement Limit
(b) A point directly rearward of any school bus torso belt anchor point, as defined in S3 of Standard No. 210 (49 CFR 571.210) on the rear facing surface of the seat back, must not displace horizontally forward from its initial position (when Φ was determined) more than the value in millimeters calculated from the following expression in the second column of Table 3:
Table 3—Seat Back Point Displacement Limit
S5.1.6.2 Slippage of device used to achieve torso belt adjusted height. If the torso belt adjusted height, as defined in S3 of Standard No. 210 (49 CFR 571.210), is achieved without the use of an adjustable torso belt anchorage, the adjustment device must not slip more than 25 mm (1.0 inches) along the webbing or guide material upon which it moves for the purpose of adjusting the torso belt height.
S5.1.6.3 Angle of the posterior surface of a seat back. If the seat back inclination is adjustable, the seat back is placed in the manufacturer's normal design riding position. If such a position is not specified, the seat back is positioned so it is in the most upright position. Position the loading bar specified in S6.5 of this standard so that it is laterally centered behind the seat back with the bar's longitudinal axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle in a horizontal plane within ±6 mm (0.25 inches) of the horizontal plane passing through the seating reference point and move the bar forward against the seat back until a force of 44 N (10 pounds) has been applied. Position a second loading bar as described in S6.5 of this standard so that it is laterally centered behind the seat back with the bar's longitudinal axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in the horizontal plane 406 ±6 mm (16 ±0.25 inches) above the seating reference point, and move the bar forward against the seat back until a force of 44 N (10 pounds) has been applied. Determine the angle from vertical of a line in the longitudinal vehicle plane that passes through the geometric center of the cross-section of each cylinder, as shown in Figure 8. That angle is the angle of the posterior surface of the seat back.
S5.1.6.4 The seat back must absorb 452W joules of energy when subjected to the force specified in S5.1.6.5.7.
S5.1.6.5 Quasi-static test procedure.
S5.1.6.5.1 Adjust the seat back as specified in S5.1.6.3. Place all torso anchor points in their highest position of adjustment. If the torso belt adjusted height, as defined in S3 of FMVSS No. 210, is achieved by a method other than an adjustable anchor point, initially place the torso belt adjusted height at its highest position. Then move the adjustment device 38 mm (1.5 inches) downward with respect to its webbing or guide material.
S5.1.6.5.2 Position the lower loading bar specified in S6.5 of this standard so that it is laterally centered behind the seat back with the bar's longitudinal axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in any horizontal plane between 102 mm (4 inches) above and 102 mm (4 inches) below the seating reference point of the school bus passenger seat behind the test specimen. Position the upper loading bar described in S6.5 so that it is laterally centered behind the seat back with the bar's longitudinal axis in a transverse plane of the vehicle and in the horizontal plane 406 mm (16 inches) above the seating reference point of the school bus passenger seat behind the test specimen.
S5.1.6.5.3 Apply a force of 3,114W N (700W pounds) horizontally in the forward direction through the lower loading bar specified at S6.5 at the pivot attachment point. Reach the specified load in not less than 5 and not more than 30 seconds. No sooner than 1.0 second after attaining the required force, reduce that force to 1,557W N (350W pounds) and maintain the pivot point position of the loading bar at the position where the 1,557W N (350W pounds) is attained until the completion of S5.1.6.5.7 of this standard.
S5.1.6.5.4 Position the body block specified in Figure 3 of FMVSS No. 210 (49 CFR 571.210) under each torso belt (between the torso belt and the seat back) in the passenger seat and apply a preload force of 600 ±50 N (135 ±11 pounds) on each body block in a forward direction parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle pursuant to the specifications of Standard No. 210 (49 CFR 571.210). After preload application is complete, the origin of the 203 mm body block radius at any point across the 102 mm body block thickness shall lie within the zone defined by S5.1.6.5.4(a) and S5.1.6.5.4(b) as shown in Figure 9:
(a) At or rearward of a transverse vertical plane of the vehicle located 100 mm longitudinally forward of the seating reference point.
(b) Within 75 mm of the horizontal plane located midway between the horizontal plane passing through the school bus torso belt adjusted height, specified in S3 of Standard No. 210 (49 CFR 571.210), and the horizontal plane 100 mm below the seating reference point.
S5.1.6.5.5 Load application.
(a) Fixed Occupancy Seat. For school buses with the gross vehicle weight rating listed in the first column of Table 4, if the expression in the second column is true, simultaneously apply the force listed in the third column to each body block.
Table 4—Torso Body Block Forces for Fixed Occupancy Seats
(b) Flexible Occupancy Seat.
(1) For school buses with the gross vehicle weight rating listed in the first column of Table 5 and a bench seat in the maximum occupancy configuration for a flexible occupancy seat of Y + 1 seat belt positions as specified in S4.1(d), simultaneously apply the force listed in the second column of Table 5 to each body block.
Table 5—Torso Body Block Forces in Maximum Occupancy Configuration
(2) For a flexible occupancy seat in the minimum occupant configuration, apply the forces to each body block as specified in S5.1.6.5.5(a).
S5.1.6.5.6 Reach the specified load in not less than 5 and not more than 30 seconds. While maintaining the load, measure the school bus torso belt anchor point and seat back point horizontal displacement and then remove the body block.
S5.1.6.5.7 Move the upper bar forward against the seat back until a force of 44 N has been applied. Apply an additional force horizontally in the forward direction through the upper bar until 452W joules of energy have been absorbed in deflecting the seat back. The maximum travel of the pivot attachment point for the upper loading bar shall not exceed 356 mm as measured from the position at which the initial application of 44 N of force is attained and the maximum load must stay below the upper boundary of the force/deflection zone in Figure 1. Apply the additional load in not less than 5 seconds and not more than 30 seconds. Maintain the pivot attachment point at the maximum forward travel position for not less than 5 seconds, and not more than 10 seconds and release the load in not less than 5 seconds and not more than 30 seconds. (For the determination of S5.1.6.5.7, the energy calculation describes only the force applied through the upper loading bar, and the forward and rearward travel distance of the upper loading bar pivot attachment point measured from the position at which the application in this section of 44 N of force is attained.)
S5.1.7 Buckle side length limit. This section applies to rear passenger seats on school buses manufactured on or after October 21, 2011 that are equipped with Type 1 or Type 2 seat belt assemblies. All portions of the buckle/latchplate assembly must remain rearward of the limit plane defined in S5.1.7.1 when tested under the conditions of S5.1.7.2.
S5.1.7.1 Buckle/latchplate limit plane. Establish a transverse limit plane 65 mm from the SgRP that is perpendicular to a transverse plane that passes through the SgRP at an angle of 50 degrees to the horizontal.
S5.1.7.2 Load application. Insert the seat belt latchplate into the seat belt buckle. Apply a 20 N load to the buckle/latchplate assembly whose vector is in a vertical longitudinal plane. Apply the load along the centerline of the webbing attached to the latchplate at least 100mm from the nearest point on the latchplate. The load may be applied at any angle in the range of 30 to 75 degrees from horizontal.
S5.2 Restraining barrier requirements. Each vehicle shall be equipped with a restraining barrier forward of any designated seating position that does not have the rear surface of another school bus passenger seat within 610 mm of its seating reference point, measured along a horizontal longitudinal line through the seating reference point in the forward direction.
S5.2.1 Barrier-seat separation. The horizontal distance between the restraining barrier's rear surface and the seating reference point of the seat in front of which the barrier is required shall not be more than 610 mm measured along a horizontal longitudinal line through the seating reference point in the forward direction.
S5.2.2 Barrier height, position, and rear surface area. The position and rear surface area of the restraining barrier shall be such that, in a front projected view of the bus, each point of the barrier's perimeter coincides with or lies outside of the perimeter of the minimum seat back area required by S5.1.2 for the seat immediately rearward of the restraining barrier.
S5.2.3 Barrier performance forward. When force is applied to the restraining barrier in the same manner as specified in S5.1.3.1 through S5.1.3.4 for seating performance tests:
(a) The restraining barrier force/deflection curve shall fall within the zone specified in Figure 1;
(b) Restraining barrier deflection shall not exceed 356 mm; (for computation of (a) and (b) the force/deflection curve describes only the force applied through the upper loading bar, and only the forward travel of the pivot attachment point of the loading bar, measured from the point at which the initial application of 44 N of force is attained.)
(c) Restraining barrier deflection shall not interfere with normal door operation;
(d) The restraining barrier shall not separate from the vehicle at any attachment point; and
(e) Restraining barrier components shall not separate at any attachment point.
S5.3 Impact zone requirements.
S5.3.1 Head protection zone. Any contactable surface of the vehicle within any zone specified in S5.3.1.1 shall meet the requirements of S5.3.1.2 and S5.3.1.3. However, a surface area that has been contacted pursuant to an impact test need not meet further requirements contained in S5.3.
S5.3.1.1 The head protection zones in each vehicle are the spaces in front of each school bus passenger seat which are not occupied by bus sidewall, window, or door structure and which, in relation to that seat and its seating reference point, are enclosed by the following planes;
(a) Horizontal planes 305 mm and 1016 mm above the seating reference point;
(b) A vertical longitudinal plane tangent to the inboard (aisle side) edge of the seat; and
(c) A vertical longitudinal plane 83 mm inboard of the outboard edge of the seat;
(d) Vertical transverse planes through and 762 mm forward of the reference point.
S5.3.1.2 Head form impact requirement. When any contactable surface of the vehicle within the zones specified in S5.3.1.1 is impacted from any direction at 6.7 m/s by the head form described in S6.6, the axial acceleration at the center of gravity of the head form shall be such that the expression
S5.3.1.3 Head form force distribution. When any contactable surface of the vehicle within the zones specified in S5.3.1.1 is impacted from any direction at 6.7 m/s by the head form described in S6.6, the energy necessary to deflect the impacted material shall be not less than 4.5 joules before the force level on the head form exceeds 667 N. When any contactable surface within such zones is impacted by the head form from any direction at 1.5 m/s the contact area on the head form surface shall be not less than 1,935 mm 2 .
S5.3.2 Leg protection zone. Any part of the seat backs or restraining barriers in the vehicle within any zone specified in S5.3.2.1 shall meet the requirements of S5.3.2.2.
S5.3.2.1 The leg protection zones of each vehicle are those parts of the school bus passenger seat backs and restraining barriers bounded by horizontal planes 305 mm above and 102 mm below the seating reference point of the school bus passenger seat immediately behind the seat back or restraining barrier.
S5.3.2.2 When any point on the rear surface of that part of a seat back or restraining barrier within any zone specified in S5.3.2.1 is impacted from any direction at 4.9 m/s by the knee form specified in S6.7, the resisting force of the impacted material shall not exceed 2,669 N and the contact area on the knee form surface shall not be less than 1,935 mm 2 .
S5.4 Each school bus having one or more locations designed for carrying a person seated in a wheelchair shall comply with S5.4.1 through S5.4.4 at each such wheelchair location.
S5.4.1 Wheelchair securement anchorages. Each wheelchair location shall have not less than four wheelchair securement anchorages complying with S5.4.1.1 through S5.4.1.3.
S5.4.1.1 Each wheelchair securement anchorage shall have a wheelchair securement device complying with S5.4.2 attached to it.
S5.4.1.2 The wheelchair securement anchorages at each wheelchair location shall be situated so that—
(a) A wheelchair can be secured in a forward-facing position.
(b) The wheelchair can be secured by wheelchair securement devices at two locations in the front and two locations in the rear.
(c) The front wheel of a three-wheeled wheelchair can be secured.
S5.4.1.3 Each wheelchair securement anchorage shall be capable of withstanding a force of 13,344 Newtons applied as specified in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section. When more than one securement device share a common anchorage, the anchorage shall be capable of withstanding a force of 13,344 Newtons multiplied by the number of securement devices sharing that anchorage.
(a) The initial application force shall be applied at an angle of not less than 30 degrees, but not more than 60 degrees, measured from the horizontal. (See Figure 4.)
(b) The horizontal projection of the force direction shall be within a horizontal arc of ±45 degrees relative to a longitudinal line which has its origin at the anchorage location and projects rearward for an anchorage whose wheelchair securement device is intended to secure the front of the wheelchair and forward for an anchorage whose wheelchair securement device is intended to secure the rear of the wheelchair. (See Figure 4.)
(c) The force shall be applied at the onset rate of not more than 133,440 Newtons per second.
(d) The 13,344 Newton force shall be attained in not more than 30 seconds, and shall be maintained for 10 seconds.
S5.4.2 Wheelchair securement devices. Each wheelchair securement device shall—
(a) If incorporating webbing or a strap—
(1) Comply with the requirements for Type 1 safety belt systems in S4.2, S4.3, and S4.4(a) of FMVSS No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies ; and
(2) Provide a means of adjustment to remove slack from the device.
(b) If not incorporating webbing or a strap, limit movement of the wheelchair through either the equipment design or a means of adjustment.
S5.4.3 Wheelchair occupant restraint anchorages.
S5.4.3.1 Each wheelchair location shall have:
(a) Not less than one anchorage for the upper end of the upper torso restraint; and
(b) Not less than two floor anchorages for wheelchair occupant pelvic and upper torso restraint.
S5.4.3.2 Each wheelchair occupant restraint floor anchorage shall be capable of withstanding a force of 13,344 Newtons applied as specified in paragraphs (a) through (d). When more than one wheelchair occupant restraint share a common anchorage, the anchorage shall be capable of withstanding a force of 13,344 Newtons multiplied by the number of occupant restraints sharing that anchorage.
(a) The initial application force shall be applied at an angle of not less than 45 degrees, but not more than 80 degrees, measured from the horizontal. (See Figure 5.)
(b) The horizontal projection of the force direction shall be within a horizontal arc of ±45 degrees relative to a longitudinal line which has its origin at the anchorage and projects forward. (See Figure 5.)
(c) The force shall be applied at an onset rate of not more than 133,440 Newtons per second.
(d) The 13,344 Newton force shall be attained in not more than 30 seconds, and shall be maintained for 10 seconds.
(e) When a wheelchair securement device and an occupant restraint share a common anchorage, including occupant restraint designs that attach the occupant restraint to the securement device or the wheelchair, the loads specified by S5.4.1.3 and S5.4.3.2 shall be applied simultaneously, under the conditions specified in S5.4.3.2 (a) and (b). (See Figure 6.)
S5.4.3.3 Each anchorage for a wheelchair occupant upper torso restraint shall be capable of withstanding a force of 6,672 Newtons applied as specified in paragraphs (a) through (d).
(a) The initial application force shall be applied at a vertical angle of not less than zero degrees, but not more than 40 degrees, below a horizontal plane which passes through the anchorage. (See Figure 7.)
(b) The projection of the force direction onto the horizontal plane shall be within zero degrees and 45 degrees as measured from a longitudinal line with its origin at the anchorage and projecting forward. (See Figure 7.)
(c) The force shall be applied at the onset rate of not more than 66,720 Newtons per second.
(d) The 6,672 Newton force shall be attained in not more than 30 seconds, and shall be maintained for 10 seconds.
S5.4.4 Wheelchair occupant restraints.
(a) Each wheelchair location shall have wheelchair occupant pelvic and upper torso restraints attached to the anchorages required by S5.4.3.
(b) Each wheelchair occupant restraint shall comply with the requirements for Type 2 safety belt systems in S4.2, S4.3, and S4.4(b) of FMVSS No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies.
S5.5 Labeling. (a) A small occupant seating position must be permanently and legibly marked or labeled with the phrase: “Do Not Sit In Middle Seat If Over Age 10”. The phrase must be comprised of no more than two lines of text. The label must be placed on the torso belt portion of the Type 2 seat belt. It must be plainly visible and easily readable when the seat belt is in a stored position. The distance from the top edge of the top line of text to the bottom edge of the bottom line of text must be at least 35 mm. If the label is sewn on, it must be stitched around its entire perimeter.
(b) [Reserved]
S6. Test conditions. The following conditions apply to the requirements specified in S5.
S6.1 Test surface. The bus is at rest on a level surface.
S6.2 Tires. Tires are inflated to the pressure specified by the manufacturer for the gross vehicle weight rating.
S6.3 Temperature. The ambient temperature is any level between 0 degrees C and 32 degrees C.
S6.4 Seat back position. If adjustable, a seat back is adjusted to its most upright position.
S6.5 Loading bar. The loading bar is a rigid cylinder with an outside diameter of 152 mm that has hemispherical ends with radii of 76 mm and with a surface roughness that does not exceed 1.6 µm, root mean square. The length of the loading bar is 102 mm less than the width of the seat back in each test. The stroking mechanism applies force through a pivot attachment at the center point of the loading bar which allows the loading bar to rotate in a horizontal plane 30 degrees in either direction from the transverse position.
S6.5.1 A vertical or lateral force of 17,792 N applied externally through the pivot attachment point of the loading bar at any position reached during a test specified in this standard shall not deflect that point more than 25 mm.
S6.6 Head form. The head form for the measurement of acceleration is a rigid surface comprised of two hemispherical shapes, with total equivalent mass of 5.2 kg. The first of the two hemispherical shapes has a diameter of 166 mm. The second of the two hemispherical shapes has a 50 mm diameter and is centered as shown in Figure 3 to protrude from the outer surface of the first hemispherical shape. The surface roughness of the hemispherical shapes does not exceed 1.6 µm, root mean square.
S6.6.1 The direction of travel of the head form is coincidental with the straight line connecting the centerpoints of the two spherical outer surfaces which constitute the head form shape.
S6.6.2 The head form is instrumented with an acceleration sensing device whose output is recorded in a data channel that conforms to the requirements for a 1,000 Hz channel class as specified in SAE Recommended Practice J211a (1971) (incorporated by reference, see § 571.5). The head form exhibits no resonant frequency below three times the frequency of the channel class. The axis of the acceleration sensing device coincides with the straight line connecting the centerpoints of the two hemispherical outer surfaces which constitute the head form shape.
S6.6.3 The head form is guided by a stroking device so that the direction of travel of the head form is not affected by impact with the surface being tested at the levels called for in the standard.
S6.7 Knee form. The knee form for measurement of force is a rigid 76 millimeter-diameter cylinder, with an equivalent weight of 44 N that has one hemispherical end with a 38 mm radius forming a contact surface of the knee form. The hemispherical surface roughness does not exceed 1.6 µm, root mean square.
S6.7.1 The direction of travel of the knee form is coincidental with the centerline of the rigid cylinder.
S6.7.2 The knee form is instrumented with an acceleration sensing device whose output is recorded in a data channel that conforms to the requirements of a 600 Hz channel class as specified in SAE Recommended Practice J211a (1971) (incorporated by reference, see § 571.5). The knee form exhibits no resonant frequency below three times the frequency of the channel class. The axis of the acceleration sensing device is aligned to measure acceleration along the centerline of the cylindrical knee form.
S6.7.3 The knee form is guided by a stroking device so that the direction of travel of the knee form is not affected by impact with the surface being tested at the levels called for in the standard.
S6.8 The head form, knee form, and contactable surfaces are clean and dry during impact testing.
§ 571.223   Standard No. 223; Rear impact guards.
S1. Scope. This standard specifies requirements for rear impact guards for trailers and semitrailers.
S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries that occur when light duty vehicles collide with the rear end of trailers and semitrailers.
S3. Application. This standard applies to rear impact guards for trailers and semitrailers subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 224, Rear Impact Protection (§ 571.224).
S4. Definitions.
In this standard, directional terms such as bottom, center, height, horizontal, longitudinal, transverse, and rear refer to directions relative to the vehicle orientation when the guard is oriented as if it were installed on a vehicle according to the installation instructions in S5.5 of this section.
Chassis means the load supporting frame structure of a motor vehicle.
Guard width means the maximum horizontal guard dimension that is perpendicular to the longitudinal vertical plane passing through the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when the guard is installed on the vehicle according to the installation instructions in S5.5 of this section.
Ground clearance means the vertical distance from the bottom edge of a horizontal member to the ground.
Horizontal member means the structural member of the guard that meets the configuration requirements of S5.1.1 through 5.1.3 of § 571.224, Rear Impact Protection, when the guard is installed on a vehicle according to the guard manufacturer's installation instructions.
Hydraulic guard means a guard designed to use fluid properties to provide resistance force to deformation.
Load path means a route of force transmission between the horizontal member and the chassis.
Rear impact guard means a device installed on or near the rear of a vehicle so that when the vehicle is struck from the rear, the device limits the distance that the striking vehicle's front end slides under the rear end of the impacted vehicle.
Rigid test fixture means a supporting structure on which a rear impact guard can be mounted in the same manner it is mounted to a vehicle. The rigid test fixture is designed to resist the forces applied to the rear impact guard without significant deformation, such that a performance requirement of this standard must be met no matter how small an amount of energy is absorbed by the rigid test fixture.
S5. Requirements.
S5.1 Projected Vertical Height. The horizontal member of each guard, when viewed from the rear as it would be installed on a trailer pursuant to the installation instructions or procedures required by S5.5 of this standard, shall have a vertical height of at least 100 mm at each point across the guard width, when projected horizontally on a transverse vertical plane. Those installation instructions or procedures shall specify that the guard is to be mounted so that all portions of the horizontal member necessary to achieve a 100 mm high projected vertical height are located not more than 305 mm forward of the vehicle's rear extremity, as defined in S4 of 49 CFR 571.224, Rear Impact Protection. See Figure 1 of this section.
S5.2 Strength and Energy Absorption. When tested under the procedures of S6 of this section, each guard shall comply with the strength requirements of S5.2.1 of this section at each test location and the energy absorption requirements of S5.2.2 of this section when a distributed load is applied uniformly across the horizontal member, as specified in S6.8 of this section. However, a particular guard ( i.e., test specimen) need not be tested at more than one location.
S5.2.1 Guard Strength. The guard must resist the force levels specified in S5.2.1(a) through (c) of this section without deflecting by more than 125 mm and without eliminating any load path that existed before the test was initiated.
(a) A force of 50,000 N applied in accordance with S6.6 of this section at test location P1 on either the left or the right side of the guard as defined in S6.4(a) of this section.
(b) A force of 50,000 N applied in accordance with S6.6 of this section at test location P2 as defined in S6.4(b) of this section.
(c) A uniform distributed force of at least 350,000 N applied across the horizontal member, as specified in S6.8 of this section and in accordance with S6.6 of this section.
S5.2.2 Guard Energy Absorption.
(a) A guard, other than a hydraulic guard or one installed on a tanker trailer, when subjected to a uniform distributed load applied in accordance with S6.6(c) of this section:
(1) Shall absorb by plastic deformation at least 20,000 J of energy within the first 125 mm of deflection without eliminating any load path that existed before the test was initiated; and
(2) Have a ground clearance not exceeding 560 mm, measured at each support to which the horizontal member is attached, as shown in Figure 4 of this section, after completion of the load application.
(b) A guard, other than a hydraulic guard or one installed on a tanker trailer, that demonstrates resistance to a uniform distributed load greater than 700,000 N applied in accordance with S6.6(b) of this section, need not meet the energy absorption requirements of S5.2.2(a) of this section but must have a ground clearance not exceeding 560 mm at each vertical support to which the horizontal member is attached after completion of the 700,000 N load application.
S5.3 Labeling. Each guard shall be permanently labeled with the information specified in S5.3 (a) through (c) of this section. The information shall be in English and in letters that are at least 2.5 mm high. The label shall be placed on the forward or rearward facing surface of the horizontal member of the guard, provided that the label does not interfere with the retroreflective sheeting required by S5.7.1.4.1(c) of FMVSS No. 108 (49 CFR 571.108), and is readily accessible for visual inspection.
(a) The guard manufacturer's name and address.
(b) The statement: “Manufactured in ________” (inserting the month and year of guard manufacture).
(c) The letters “DOT”, constituting a certification by the guard manufacturer that the guard conforms to all requirements of this standard.
S5.4 Guard Attachment Hardware. Each guard, other than a guard that is to be installed on a vehicle manufactured by the manufacturer of the guard, shall be accompanied by all attachment hardware necessary for installation of the guard on the chassis of the motor vehicle for which it is intended.
S5.5 Installation Instructions. The manufacturer of rear impact guards for sale to vehicle manufacturers shall include with each guard printed instructions in English for installing the guard, as well as a diagram or schematic depicting proper guard installation. The manufacturer of a rear impact guard for one of its own vehicles shall prepare and keep a copy of installation procedures applicable to each vehicle/guard combination for a period of one year from the date of vehicle manufacture and provide them to NHTSA on request. The instructions or procedures shall specify:
(a) Vehicles on which the guard can be installed. Vehicles may be designated by listing the make and model of the vehicles for which the guard is suitable, or by specifying the design elements that would make any vehicle an appropriate host for the particular guard (e.g., vehicles with frame rails of certain spacing and gauge of steel).
(b) A description of the chassis surface to which the guard will be attached, including frame design types with dimensions, material thickness, and tire track width. This description shall be detailed enough to permit the agency to locate and duplicate the chassis surface during compliance testing.
(c) An explanation of the method of attaching the guard to the chassis of each vehicle make and model listed or to the design elements specified in the instructions or procedures. The principal aspects of vehicle chassis configuration that are necessary to the proper functioning of the guard shall be specified including the maximum allowable vertical distance between the bottom edge of the horizontal member of the guard and the ground to ensure post-test ground clearance requirements are met. If the chassis strength is inadequate for the guard design, the instructions or procedures shall specify methods for adequately reinforcing the vehicle chassis. Procedures for properly installing any guard attachment hardware shall be provided.
S6. Guard Test Procedures. The procedures for determining compliance with S5.2 of this section are specified in S6.1 through S6.9 of this section.
S6.1 Preparation of Hydraulic Guards. For hydraulic guards, the horizontal member of the guard is deflected in a forward direction until the hydraulic unit(s) have reached the full extent of their designed travel or 610 mm, whichever occurs first. The hydraulic units are compressed before the application of force to the guard in accordance with S6.6 of this section and maintained in this condition throughout the testing under S6.6 of this section.
S6.2 Guard Installation for Strength and Energy Absorption Tests.
(a) The rear impact guard is attached to a test device.
(b) The test device for the compliance test will be whichever of the following devices, if either was used, the manufacturer used as a basis for its certification of the guard in S5.3(c) of this section. If the manufacturer did not use one of these devices or does not specify a device when asked by the agency, the agency may choose either of the following devices—
(1) A rigid test fixture. In the case of testing on a rigid test fixture NHTSA will consult the installation instructions or procedures to determine the surface or structure that the guard is supposed to be mounted to and mount it to the rigid test fixture in the same way.
(2) A complete trailer for which installation of the guard is suitable, as provided in the manufacturer's installation instructions or procedures required by S5.5 of this section. The trailer chassis is secured so that it behaves essentially as a fixed object during the test, such that the test must be passed no matter how little it moves during the test.
(c) The guard is attached in accordance with the instructions or procedures for guard attachment provided by the guard manufacturer for that guard as required by S5.5 of this section.
S6.3 Point Load Force Application Device. The force application device employed in S6.6 of this section consists of a rectangular solid made of rigid steel. The steel solid is 203 mm in height, 203 mm in width, and 25 mm in thickness. The 203 mm by 203 mm face of the block is used as the contact surface for application of the forces specified in S5.2.1(a) and (b) of this section. Each edge of the contact surface of the block has a radius of curvature of 5 mm plus or minus 1 mm.
S6.4 Point Load Test Locations. With the guard mounted to the rigid test fixture or to a complete trailer, determine the test locations P1 and P2 in accordance with the procedure set forth in S6.4(a) and (b) of this section. See Figure 1 of this section.
(a) Point Load Test location P1 is the point on the rearmost surface of the horizontal member of the guard that:
(1) Is located at a distance of 3/8 of the guard width from the vertical longitudinal plane passing through center of the guard;
(2) Lies on either side of the center of the guard's horizontal member; and
(3) Is 50 mm above the bottom of the guard.
(b) Point Load Test location P2 is the point on the rearmost surface of the horizontal member of the guard that:
(1) Lies in the longitudinal vertical plane passing through the center of the guard's horizontal member; and
(2) Is 50 mm above the bottom of the guard.
S6.5 Positioning of Force Application Device. Before applying any force to the guard, locate the force application device specified in S6.3 of this section for the point load test location and that specified in S6.7 of this section for the uniform distributed load test location, such that:
(a) The center point of the contact surface of the force application device is aligned with and touching the guard test location, as defined by the specifications of S6.4 of this section for the point load test locations, and S6.8 of this section for the uniform distributed load test location.
(b) The longitudinal axis of the force application device passes through the test location and is perpendicular to the transverse vertical plane that is tangent to the rearmost surface of the guard's horizontal member.
(c) If the guard is tested on a rigid test fixture, the vertical distance from the bottom edge of the horizontal member to the ground at the location of each support to which the horizontal member is attached, shall be measured.
S6.6 Force Application. After the force application device has been positioned according to S6.5 of this section, at the point load test locations specified in S6.4 of this section or the uniform distributed load test location specified in S6.8 of this section, apply the loads specified in S5.2 of this section. Load application procedures are specified in S6.6(a) through (d) of this section.
(a) Using the force application device, apply force to the guard in a forward direction such that the displacement rate of the force application device is the rate, plus or minus 10 percent, designated by the guard manufacturer within the range of 2.0 cm per minute to 9.0 cm per minute. If the guard manufacturer does not designate a rate, any rate within that range may be chosen.
(b) If conducting a strength test to satisfy the requirement of S5.2.1 or S5.2.2(b) of this section, the force is applied until the forces specified in S5.2.1 or S5.2.2(b) of this section have been exceeded, or until the displacement of the force application device has reached at least 125 mm whichever occurs first.
(c) If conducting a test to be used for the calculation of energy absorption levels to satisfy the requirement of S5.2.2(a) of this section, apply a uniform distributed force to the guard until displacement of the force application device, specified in S6.7 of this section, has reached 125 mm. For calculation of guard energy absorption, the value of force is recorded at least ten times per 25 mm of displacement of the contact surface of the loading device. Reduce the force until the guard no longer offers resistance to the force application device. Produce a force vs. deflection diagram of the type shown in Figure 2 of this section using this information. Determine the energy absorbed by the guard by calculating the shaded area bounded by the curve in the force vs. deflection diagram and the abscissa (X-axis).
(d) During each force application, the force application device is guided so that it does not rotate. At all times during the application of force, the location of the longitudinal axis of the force application device remains constant.
S6.7 Uniform Distributed Load Force Application Device. The force application device to be employed in applying the uniform distributed load is to be unyielding, have a height of 203 mm, and have a width that exceeds the distance between the outside edges of the outermost supports to which the tested portion of the horizontal member is attached, as shown in Figure 3 of this section.
S6.8 Uniform Distributed Load Test Location. With the guard mounted to the rigid test fixture or to a complete trailer, determine the test location in accordance with the following procedure. See Figure 3 of this section. Distributed Force Test location is the plane on the rearmost surface of the horizontal member of the guard that:
(a) Is centered in the longitudinal vertical plane passing through the center of the guard's horizontal member; and
(b) Is centered 50 mm above the bottom of the guard.
S6.9 Ground Clearance Measurement.
(a) For the test device attached to a complete trailer as specified in S6.2 of this section, the ground clearance of the guard at the vertical supports to which the horizontal member is attached shall be measured after completion of the uniform distributed load test in accordance with S6.6(b) or S6.6(c) of this section.
(b) For the test device attached to a rigid test fixture as specified in S6.2 of this section, the vertical distance from the ground to the bottom edge of the horizontal member at the vertical supports to which the horizontal member is attached shall be measured after completion of the uniform distributed load test in accordance with S6.6(b) or S6.6(c) of this section and subtracted from the corresponding ground clearance measured before the load application in accordance with S6.5(c) of this section. The difference in ground clearance before and after the load application is added to the allowable maximum vertical distance between the bottom edge of the horizontal member of the guard and the ground as specified in S5.5(c) of this section, to obtain the ground clearance after completion of the uniform distributed load test.
§ 571.224   Standard No. 224; Rear impact protection.
S1. Scope. This standard establishes requirements for the installation of rear impact guards on trailers and semitrailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg or more.
S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries occurring when light duty vehicles impact the rear of trailers and semitrailers with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or more.
S3. Application. This standard applies to trailers and semitrailers with a GVWR of 4,356 kg or more. The standard does not apply to pole trailers, pulpwood trailers, low chassis vehicles, road construction controlled horizontal discharge trailers, special purpose vehicles, wheels back vehicles, or temporary living quarters as defined in 49 CFR 523.2.  If a cargo tank motor vehicle, as defined in 49 CFR 171.8, is certified to carry hazardous materials and has a rear bumper or rear end protection device conforming with 49 CFR part 178 located in the area of the horizontal member of the rear underride guard required by this standard, the guard need not comply with the energy absorption requirement (S5.2.2) of 49 CFR 571.223.
S4. Definitions.
Chassis means the load supporting frame structure of a motor vehicle.
Horizontal member means the structural member of the guard that meets the configuration requirements of S5.1 of this section when the guard is installed on the vehicle according to the installation instructions or procedures required by S5.5 of § 571.223, Rear Impact Guards.
Low chassis vehicle means a trailer or semitrailer having a chassis that extends behind the rearmost point of the rearmost tires and a lower rear surface that meets the configuration requirements of S5.1.1 through 5.1.3 of this section.
Outer or Outboard means away from the trailer centerline and toward the side extremities of the trailer.
Pulpwood trailer means a trailer that is designed exclusively for harvesting logs or pulpwood and constructed with a skeletal frame with no means for attachment of a solid bed, body, or container.
Rear extremity means the rearmost point on a trailer that is above a horizontal plane located above the ground clearance and below a horizontal plane located 1,900 mm above the ground when the trailer is configured as specified in S5.1 of this section and when the trailer's cargo doors, tailgate and other permanent structures are positioned as they normally are when the trailer is in motion, with non-structural protrusions excluded from the determination of the rearmost point, such as:
(1) Tail lamps;
(2) Rubber bumpers;
(3) Hinges and latches; and
(4) Flexible aerodynamic devices capable of being folded to within 305 mm from the transverse vertical plane tangent to the rear most surface of the horizontal member for vertical heights below 1,740 mm above ground and, when positioned as they normally are when the trailer is in motion, are located forward of the transverse plane that is tangent to the rear bottom edge of the horizontal member and intersecting a point located 1,210 mm rearward of the horizontal member and 1,740 mm above the ground.
Road construction controlled horizontal discharge trailer means a trailer or semitrailer that is equipped with a mechanical drive and a conveyor to deliver asphalt and other road building materials, in a controlled horizontal manner, into a lay down machine or paving equipment for road construction and paving operations.
Rounded corner means a guard's outermost end that curves upward or forward toward the front of the vehicle, or both.
Side extremity means the outermost point on a vehicle's side that is located above a horizontal plane 560 mm above the ground, below a horizontal plane located 190 cm above the ground, and between a transverse vertical plane tangent to the rear extremity of the vehicle and a transverse vertical plane located 305 mm forward of that plane when the vehicle is configured as specified in S5.1 of this section. Non-structural protrusions such as taillights, hinges, rubber bumpers, and latches are excluded from the determination of the outermost point.
Special purpose vehicle means a trailer or semitrailer that:
(1) Has work performing equipment that, while the vehicle is in transit, resides in or moves through any portion of the space bounded:
(i) Vertically from the ground to a horizontal plane 660 mm above the ground;
(ii) Laterally the full width of the trailer, determined by the trailer's side extremities as defined in S4 of this section; and
(iii) From the rear extremity of the trailer as defined in S4 of this section to a transverse vertical plane 305 mm forward of the rear extremity of the trailer; or
(2) Is equipped with a loading platform that, while the vehicle is in transit, is completely stowed in the space bounded by a plane tangent to the underside of the vehicle, the ground, the rear extremity of the vehicle, and the rearmost axle, and that, when operated, deploys from its stowed position to the rear of the vehicle through any portion of the space described above.
Wheels back vehicle means a trailer or semitrailer whose rearmost axle is permanently fixed and is located such that the rearmost surface of tires of the size recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for the vehicle on that axle is not more than 305 mm forward of the transverse vertical plane tangent to the rear extremity of the vehicle.
S5. Requirements.
S5.1 Installation; vehicle configuration. Each vehicle shall be equipped with a rear impact guard certified as meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 223, Rear Impact Guards (§ 571.223). When the vehicle to which the guard is attached is resting on level ground, unloaded, with its full capacity of fuel, and with its tires inflated and air suspension, if so equipped, pressurized in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, the guard shall comply with the requirements of S5.1.1 through S5.1.3 of this section. See Figure 1 of this section.
S5.1.1 Guard width. The outermost surfaces of the horizontal member of the guard shall extend outboard to within 100 mm of the longitudinal vertical planes that are tangent to the side extremities of the vehicle, but shall not extend outboard of those planes. See Figure 1 of this section.
S5.1.2 Guard height. The vertical distance between the bottom edge of the horizontal member of the guard and the ground shall not exceed 560 mm at any point across the full width of the member. Notwithstanding this requirement, guards with rounded corners may curve upward within 255 mm of the longitudinal vertical planes that are tangent to the side extremities of the vehicle. See Figure 1 of this section.
S5.1.3 Guard rear surface. At any height 560 mm or more above the ground, the rearmost surface of the horizontal member of the guard shall be located as close as practical to a transverse vertical plane tangent to the rear extremity of the vehicle, but no more than 305 mm forward of that plane. Notwithstanding this requirement, the horizontal member may extend rearward of the plane, and guards with rounded corners may curve forward within 255 mm of the longitudinal vertical planes that are tangent to the side extremities of the vehicle.
S5.2 Installation Requirements. Guards shall be attached to the vehicle's chassis by the vehicle manufacturer in accordance with the installation instructions or procedures provided pursuant to S5.5 of Standard No. 223, Rear Impact Guards (§ 571.223). The vehicle must be of a type identified in the installation instructions as appropriate for the guard.
§ 571.225   Standard No. 225; Child restraint anchorage systems.
S1. Purpose and scope. This standard establishes requirements for child restraint anchorage systems to ensure their proper location and strength for the effective securing of child restraints, to reduce the likelihood of the anchorage systems' failure, and to increase the likelihood that child restraints are properly secured and thus more fully achieve their potential effectiveness in motor vehicles.
S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars; to trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 3,855 kilograms (8,500 pounds) or less; and to buses (including school buses) with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less. This standard does not apply to walk-in van-type vehicles, vehicles manufactured to be sold exclusively to the U.S. Postal Service, shuttle buses, and funeral coaches.
S3. Definitions.
Child restraint anchorage means any vehicle component, other than Type I or Type II seat belts, that is involved in transferring loads generated by a child restraint system to the vehicle structure.
Child restraint anchorage system means a vehicle system that is designed for attaching a child restraint system to a vehicle at a particular designated seating position, consisting of:
(a) Two lower anchorages meeting the requirements of S9; and
(b) A tether anchorage meeting the requirements of S6.
Child restraint fixture (CRF) means the fixture depicted in Figures 1 and 2 of this standard that simulates the dimensions of a child restraint system, and that is used to determine the space required by the child restraint system and the location and accessibility of the lower anchorages.
Funeral coach means a vehicle that contains only a front row of occupant seats, is designed exclusively for transporting a body and casket and that is equipped with features to secure a casket in place during operation of the vehicle.
Rear designated seating position means any designated seating position (as that term is defined at § 571.3) that is rearward of the front seats(s).
Seat bight means the area close to and including the intersection of the surfaces of the vehicle seat cushion and the seat back.
SFAD 1 means Static Force Application Device 1 shown in Figures 12 to 16 of this standard.
SFAD 2 means Static Force Application Device 2 shown in Figures 17 and 18 of this standard.
Shuttle bus means a bus with only one row of forward-facing seating positions rearward of the driver's seat or, for a vehicle without manually operated controls, means a bus with only one row of forward-facing seating positions rearward of all front row passenger seats.
Tether anchorage means a user-ready, permanently installed vehicle system that transfers loads from a tether strap through the tether hook to the vehicle structure and that accepts a tether hook.
Tether strap means a strap that is secured to the rigid structure of the seat back of a child restraint system, and is connected to a tether hook that transfers the load from that system to the tether anchorage.
Tether hook means a device, illustrated in Figure 11 of Standard No. 213 (§ 571.213), used to attach a tether strap to a tether anchorage.
S4. General vehicle requirements.
S4.1 Each tether anchorage and each child restraint anchorage system installed, either voluntarily or pursuant to this standard, in any new vehicle manufactured on or after September 1, 1999, shall comply with the configuration, location, marking and strength requirements of this standard. The vehicle shall be delivered with written information, in English, on how to appropriately use those anchorages and systems.
S4.2 Vehicles shall be equipped as specified in paragraphs S4.2(a) through (c), except as provided in S5 of this standard.
(a) Each vehicle with three or more forward-facing rear designated seating positions shall be equipped as specified in S4.2(a)(1) and (2).
(1) Each vehicle shall be equipped with a child restraint anchorage system conforming to the requirements of S6 and S9 of this standard at not fewer than two forward-facing rear designated seating positions. At least one of the child restraint anchorage systems shall be installed at a forward-facing seating position in the second row in each vehicle that has three or more rows, if such a forward-facing seating position is available in that row.
(2) Each vehicle shall be equipped with a tether anchorage conforming to the requirements of S6 of this standard at a third forward-facing rear designated seating position. The tether anchorage of a child restraint anchorage system may count towards the third required tether anchorage. In each vehicle with a forward-facing rear designated seating position other than an outboard designated seating position, at least one tether anchorage (with or without the lower anchorages of a child restraint anchorage system) shall be at such a designated seating position.
(b) Each vehicle with not more than two forward-facing rear designated seating positions shall be equipped with a child restraint anchorage system conforming to the requirements of S6 and S9 of this standard at each forward-facing rear designated seating position.
(c) Each vehicle without any forward-facing rear designated seating position shall be equipped with a tether anchorage conforming to the requirements of S6 of this standard at each forward-facing front passenger designated seating position.
S4.3 Movable seats. (a) A vehicle that is equipped with a forward-facing rear designated seating position that can be moved such that it is capable of being used at either an outboard or non-outboard forward-facing designated seating position shall be considered as having a forward-facing non-outboard designated seating position. Such a movable seat must be equipped with a tether anchorage that meets the requirements of S6 of this standard or a child restraint anchorage system that meets the requirements of S6 and S9 of this standard, if the vehicle does not have another forward-facing non-outboard designated seating position that is so equipped.
(b) Tether and lower anchorages shall be available for use at all times, except when the seating position for which it is installed is not available for use because the vehicle seat has been removed or converted to an alternate use such as allowing for the carrying of cargo.
S5 General exceptions. Vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2031, must meet the requirements of S5.1. Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2031, must meet the requirements of S5.2.
S5.1 Vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2031. (a) Convertibles and school buses are excluded from the requirements to be equipped with tether anchorages.
(b) A vehicle may be equipped with a built-in child restraint system conforming to the requirements of Standard No. 213 (§ 571.213) or Standard No. 213b (§ 571.213b) as applicable, instead of one of the required tether anchorages or child restraint anchorage systems.
(c) Vehicles with no air bag in front passenger designated position:
(1) Each vehicle that does not have a rear designated seating position and does not have an air bag installed at front passenger designated seating positions pursuant to a temporary exemption granted by NHTSA under 49 CFR part 555, must have a child restraint anchorage system installed at a front passenger designated seating position. In the case of convertibles, the front designated passenger seating position need have only the two lower anchorages meeting the requirements of S9 of this standard.
(2) Each vehicle that has a rear designated seating position and meets the conditions in S4.5.4.1(b) of Standard No. 208 (§ 571.208), and does not have an air bag installed at front passenger designated seating positions pursuant to a temporary exemption granted by NHTSA under 49 CFR part 555, must have a child restraint anchorage system installed at a front passenger designated seating position in place of one of the child restraint anchorage systems that is required for the rear seat. In the case of convertibles, the front designated passenger seating position need have only the two lower anchorages meeting the requirements of S9 of this standard.
(d) A vehicle that does not have an air bag on-off switch meeting the requirements of S4.5.4 of Standard No. 208 (§ 571.208) shall not have any child restraint anchorage system installed at a front designated seating position.
(e) A vehicle with a rear designated seating position for which interference with transmission and/or suspension components prevents the location of the lower bars of a child restraint anchorage system anywhere within the zone described by S9.2 of this standard is excluded from the requirement to provide a child restraint anchorage system at that position. However, except as provided elsewhere in this S5, such a vehicle must have a tether anchorage at a front passenger designated seating position.
S5.2 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2031. (a) School buses are excluded from the requirements to be equipped with tether anchorages.
(b) A vehicle may be equipped with a built-in child restraint system conforming to the requirements of Standard No. 213b (§ 571.213b) instead of one of the required tether anchorages or child restraint anchorage systems.
(c) Vehicles with no air bag in front passenger designated position:
(1) Each vehicle that does not have a rear designated seating position and does not have an air bag installed at front passenger designated seating positions pursuant to a temporary exemption granted by NHTSA under 49 CFR part 555 must have a child restraint anchorage system installed at a front passenger designated seating position.
(2) Each vehicle that has a rear designated seating position and meets the conditions in S4.5.4.1(b) of Standard No. 208 (§ 571.208), and does not have an air bag installed at front passenger designated seating positions pursuant to a temporary exemption granted by NHTSA under 49 CFR part 555, must have a child restraint anchorage system installed at a front passenger designated seating position in place of one of the child restraint anchorage systems that is required for the rear seat.
(d) A vehicle that does not have an air bag on-off switch meeting the requirements of S4.5.4 of Standard No. 208 (§ 571.208), shall not have any child restraint anchorage system installed at a front designated seating position.
S6. Requirements for tether anchorages. Vehicles subject to Standard No. 225 (this section) shall meet the tether anchorage requirements specified in S6.1, S6.2, and S6.4 according to the phase-in schedule specified in S13 of this standard.
S6.1 Configuration of the tether anchorage.
S6.1.1 Each tether anchorage shall:
(a) Permit the attachment of a tether hook of a child restraint system meeting the configuration and geometry specified in figure 11 of Standard No. 213 (figure 11 to § 571.213);
(b) Be accessible without the need for any tools other than a screwdriver or coin;
(c) Once accessed, be ready for use without the need for any tools; and
(d) Be sealed to prevent the entry of exhaust fumes into the passenger compartment.
S6.1.2 Each tether anchorage shall:
(a) Consist of a rigid bar of any cross-section shape that permits the attachment of a tether hook (of a child restraint system) meeting the configuration and geometry specified in figure 11 of Standard No. 213 (figure 11 to § 571.213), except in buses with a GVWR less than or equal to 10,000 pounds and vehicles that use a routing device per S6.2.1.2;
(b) Be accessible without the need for any tools and without folding the seat back (other than the head restraint) or removing carpet or other vehicle components (other than cargo covers) to access the anchorages. Individual tether anchorages may be covered with a cap, flap, or cover, provided that any cap, flap, or, cover is specifically designed to be opened, moved aside, or to otherwise give unobstructed access to the anchorage and is labeled with the symbol shown in figure 25 to this section;
(c) Once accessed, be ready for use without the need for any tools; and
(d) Be sealed to prevent the entry of exhaust fumes into the passenger compartment.
S6.2 Location of the tether anchorage.
S6.2.1 Subject to S6.2.1.2, the part of each tether anchorage that attaches to a tether hook must be located within the shaded zone shown in figures 3 through 7 to this section of the designated seating position for which it is installed. The zone is defined with reference to the seating reference point ( see § 571.3). (For purposes of the figures, “H Point” is defined to mean seating reference point.) A tether anchorage may be recessed in the seat back, provided that it is not in the strap wrap-around area at the top of the vehicle seat back. For the area under the vehicle seat, the forwardmost edge of the shaded zone is defined by the torso line reference plane.
S6.2.1.1 [Reserved]
S6.2.1.2 In the case of a vehicle that—
(a) Has a user-ready tether anchorage for which no part of the shaded zone shown in Figures 3 to 7 of this standard of the designated seating position for which the anchorage is installed is accessible without removing a seating component of the vehicle; and
(b) Has a tether strap routing device that is—
(1) Not less than 65 mm behind the torso line for that seating position, in the case of a flexible routing device or a deployable routing device, measured horizontally and in a vertical longitudinal plane; or
(2) Not less than 100 mm behind the torso line for that seating position, in the case of a fixed rigid routing device, measured horizontally and in a vertical longitudinal plane, the part of that anchorage that attaches to a tether hook may, at the manufacturer's option (with said option selected prior to, or at the time of, certification of the vehicle) be located outside that zone.
(c) The measurement of the location of the flexible or deployable routing device described in S6.2.1.2(b)(1) is made with SFAD 2 properly attached to the lower anchorages. A 40 mm wide nylon tether strap is routed through the routing device and attached to the tether anchorage in accordance with the written instructions required by S12 of this standard. The forwardmost contact point between the strap and the routing device must be within the stated limit when the tether strap is flat against the top surface of the SFAD and tensioned to 55 to 65 N. In seating positions without lower anchorages of a child restraint anchorage system, the SFAD 2 is held with its central lateral plane in the central vertical longitudinal plane of the seating position. The adjustable anchor attaching bars of the SFAD 2 are replaced by spacers that end flush with the back surface of the SFAD.
S6.2.2 Subject to S6.2.2.2, the part of each tether anchorage to which a tether hook attaches must be located within the shaded zone shown in figures 3 through 7 to this section of the designated seating position for which it is installed. The zone is defined with reference to the seating reference point ( see § 571.3). (For purposes of the figures, “H Point” means seating reference point.) A tether anchorage may be recessed in the seat back, provided that it is not in the strap wrap-around area at the top of the vehicle seat back. For the area under the vehicle seat, the forwardmost edge of the shaded zone is defined by a vertical plane 120 mm rearward of the “H Point,” as shown in figure 3 to this section.
S6.2.2.1 Subject to S6.2.2.2, for vehicles with adjustable or removable head restraints or no head restraints, the tether anchorage to which a tether hook attaches must be located outside the zone created by a 325 mm radius sphere with its center on the R-point and truncated horizontally at 230 mm below the sphere's center as shown in figures 8 and 9 to this section.
S6.2.2.2 In the case of a vehicle that—
(a) Has a user-ready tether anchorage for which no part of the shaded zone shown in figures 4 through 7 and 10 to this section of the designated seating position for which the anchorage is installed is accessible without the need for folding the seatback (other than the head restraint) or removing a seating component of the vehicle; and
(b) Has a tether strap routing device that is—
(1) Not less than 65 mm behind the torso line for that seating position, in the case of a flexible routing device or a deployable routing device, measured horizontally and in a vertical longitudinal plane; or
(2) Not less than 100 mm behind the torso line for that seating position, in the case of a fixed rigid routing device, measured horizontally and in a vertical longitudinal plane, the part of that anchorage that attaches to a tether hook may, at the manufacturer's option (with said option selected prior to, or at the time of, certification of the vehicle) be located outside that zone.
(c) The measurement of the location of the flexible or deployable routing device described in S6.2.2.2(b)(1) is made with SFAD 2 properly attached to the lower anchorages. A 40 mm wide nylon tether strap is routed through the routing device and attached to the tether anchorage in accordance with the written instructions required by S12 of this standard. The forwardmost contact point between the strap and the routing device must be within the stated limit when the tether strap is flat against the top surface of the SFAD and tensioned to 55 to 65 N. In seating positions without lower anchorages of a child restraint anchorage system, the SFAD 2 is held with its central lateral plane in the central vertical longitudinal plane of the seating position. The adjustable anchorage attaching bars of the SFAD 2 are replaced by spacers that end flush with the back surface of the SFAD 2.
S6.3 Strength requirements for tether anchorages. (a) When tested in accordance with S8, the tether anchorage must not separate completely from the vehicle seat or seat anchorage or the structure of the vehicle.
(b) Provisions for simultaneous and sequential testing:
(1) In the case of vehicle seat assemblies equipped with more than one tether anchorage, the force referred to in this S6.3 may, at the agency's option, be applied simultaneously to each of those tether anchorages. However, that force may not be applied simultaneously to tether anchorages for any two adjacent seating positions whose midpoints are less than 400 mm apart, as measured in accordance with S6.3(b)(i) and (ii) and figure 20 to this section.
(i) The midpoint of the seating position lies in the vertical longitudinal plane that is equidistant from vertical longitudinal planes through the geometric center of each of the two lower anchorages at the seating position. For those seating positions that do not provide lower anchorages, the midpoint of the seating position lies in the vertical longitudinal plane that passes through the SgRP of the seating position.
(ii) Measure the distance between the vertical longitudinal planes passing through the midpoints of the adjacent seating positions, as measured along a line perpendicular to the planes.
(2) A tether anchorage of a particular child restraint anchorage system will not be tested with the lower anchorages of that anchorage system if one or both of those lower anchorages have been previously tested under this standard.
S6.4 Marking and conspicuity requirements for tether anchorages. Vehicles subject to Standard No. 225 (this section) shall meet S6.4 according to the phase-in schedule specified in S13 of this standard.
(a) For each tether anchorage installed pursuant to S4 of this standard, there shall be a permanent marking that:
(1) Consists of one of the pictograms shown in figure 25 to this section that is not less than 20 mm in height;
(2) Except for vehicles that use a routing device per S6.2.2.2, the center of the pictogram in the longitudinal direction must be in the vertical longitudinal plane that passes through the center of the tether anchorage bar (± half of the tether anchorage length), as shown in figure 26 (Left) to this section; or the center of the pictogram in the lateral direction must be in the horizontal lateral plane that passes through the center of the tether anchorage bar (± half of the pictogram height), as shown in figure 26 (right) to this section.
(3) The nearest edge of the marking shall be located not more than 100 mm away from the tether anchorage bar as shown in figure 27 to this section. No other attachment feature to secure occupant items ( i.e., cargo hooks or similar) shall be nearer to the marking than the distance from the marking to the tether anchorage. Vehicles with routing devices per S6.2.2.2 may use tags attached to the routing device.
(b) The tether anchorage bar may be covered by a cap or cover that is removable without the use of any tool, provided that the cap or cover is permanently labeled with a marking meeting the requirements of S6.4(a)(1). If the cap or cover is permanently attached to the vehicle, the tether anchorage is not required to be separately marked. If the cap or cover is not permanently attached to the vehicle, the tether anchorage must also be marked with the symbol meeting S6.4(a)(1) through (3).
(c) For vehicles that have a cargo cover that needs to be moved or removed to access the tether anchorages, the cargo cover must be permanently marked with the symbol meeting S6.4.1(a)(1) of this standard for each tether anchorage that is accessible under the cargo cover. Tether anchorages under the cargo cover must also be marked per S6.4(a).
S7. Test conditions for testing tether anchorages.
The test conditions described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of S7 apply to the test procedures in S8.
(a) Vehicle seats are adjusted to their full rearward and full downward position and the seat back is placed in its most upright position. When SFAD 2 is used in testing and cannot be attached to the lower anchorages with the seat back in this position, adjust the seat back as recommended by the manufacturer in its instructions for attaching child restraints. If no instructions are provided, adjust the seat back to the position that enables SFAD 2 to attach to the lower anchorages that is the closest to the most upright position.
(b) Head restraints are adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, provided pursuant to S12, as to how the head restraints should be adjusted when using the child restraint anchorage system. If instructions with regard to head restraint adjustment are not provided pursuant to S12, the head restraints are adjusted to any position.
S8 Test procedures. Each vehicle shall meet the requirements of S6.3 when tested according to the following procedures. Where a range of values is specified, the vehicle shall be able to meet the requirements at all points within the range. For the testing specified in these procedures, the SFAD used in the test has a tether strap consisting of webbing material with an elongation limit of 4 percent at a tensile load of 65,000 N (14,612 lb). Pretension the tether strap with 53.5 N to 67 N of preload prior to the test. The strap is fitted at one end with a high strength steel tether hook for attachment to the tether anchorage. The tether hook meets the specifications in Standard No. 213 (49 CFR § 571.213) as to the configuration and geometry of tether hooks required by the standard. A steel cable is connected to the X point through which the test force is applied.
S8.1 Apply the force specified in S6.3 as follows—
(a) Use the following specified test device, as appropriate:
(1) SFAD 1, to test a tether anchorage at a designated seating position that does not have a child restraint anchorage system; or,
(2) SFAD 2, to test a tether anchorage at a designated seating position that has a child restraint anchorage system.
(b) Attach the SFAD 1 to the vehicle seat using the vehicle belts or the SFAD 2 to the lower anchorages of the child restraint anchorage system, as appropriate, and attach the test device to the tether anchorage, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions provided pursuant to S12 of this standard. For the testing specified in this procedure, if SFAD 1 cannot be attached using the vehicle belts because of the location of the vehicle belt buckle, the test device is attached by material whose breaking strength is equal to or greater than the breaking strength of the webbing for the seat belt assembly installed as original equipment at that seating position. The geometry of the attachment duplicates the geometry, at the pre-load point, of the attachment of the originally installed seat belt assembly. All belt systems (including the tether) used to attach the test device are tightened to a tension of not less than 53.5 N and not more than 67 N on the webbing portion of the belt. For SFAD 1, apply a rearward force of 135 N ±15 N, in a horizontal plane through point “X” of SFAD 1. While maintaining the force, tighten the vehicle seat belt to a tension of not less than 53.5 N and not more than 67 N measured at the lap portion of the seat belt and maintain the tension during the preload, lock the seat belt retractor, and tighten the tether belt strap to remove all slack. A rearward force of 135 N ±15 N is applied to the center of the lower front crossmember of SFAD 2 to press the device against the seat back as the fore-aft position of the rearward extensions of the SFAD is adjusted to remove any slack or tension.
(c) Apply the force—
(1) Initially, in a forward direction in a vertical longitudinal plane and through the Point X on the test device; and
(2) Initially, along a line through the X point and at an angle of 10 ±5 degrees above the horizontal. Apply a preload force of 500 N to measure the angle; and then
(3) Increase the pull force as linearly as practicable to a full force application of 15,000 N in not less than 24 seconds and not more than 30 seconds, and maintain at a 15,000 N level for 1 second.
S8.2 [Reserved]
S9. Requirements for the lower anchorages of the child restraint anchorage system. Vehicles subject to Standard No. 225 (this section) shall meet the lower anchorage requirements specified in S9.2 and S9.5 according to the phase-in schedule specified in S13 of this standard.
S9.1 Configuration of the lower anchorages
S9.1.1 The lower anchorages shall consist of two bars that—
(a) Are 6 mm ±.1 mm in diameter;
(b) Are straight, horizontal and transverse;
(c) As shown in Figure 21, are:
(i) Not less than 25 mm in length, and
(ii) Are not more than 60 mm in length between the anchor bar supports or other structural members of the vehicle that restrict lateral movement of the components of a child restraint that are designed to attach to the bars, measured in a vertical plane 7 mm rearward of the vertical plane that is tangent of the rearward face of the anchor bar.
(d) The bars must not be capable of being stowable or foldable.
(e) [Reserved]
(f) Are part of the vehicle, such that they can only be removed by use of a tool, such as a screwdriver or wrench; and
(g) Are rigidly attached to the vehicle such that they will not deform more than 5 mm when subjected to a 100 N force in any direction.
S9.2 Location of the lower anchorages.
S9.2.1 The anchorage bars are located at the vehicle seating position by using the CRF rearward extensions, with the CRF placed against or near the vehicle seat back. With the CRF attached to the anchorages and resting on the seat cushion, the bottom surface shall have attitude angles within the limits in the following table, angles measured relative to the vehicle horizontal, longitudinal and transverse reference planes.
Table to S9.2.1
Note: An explanation of the above angles is given in Figure 1.
S9.2.2 With adjustable seats adjusted as described in S9.2.3, each lower anchorage bar shall be located so that a vertical transverse plane tangent to the front surface of the bar is:
(a) Not more than 70 mm behind the corresponding point Z of the CRF, measured parallel to the bottom surface of the CRF and in a vertical longitudinal plane, while the CRF is pressed against the seat back by the rearward application of a horizontal force of 100 N at point A on the CRF; and
(b) Not less than 120 mm behind the vehicle seating reference point, measured horizontally and in a vertical longitudinal plane.
S9.2.3 Adjustable seats are adjusted as follows:
(a) Place adjustable seat backs in the manufacturer's nominal design riding position in the manner specified by the manufacturer; and
(b) Place adjustable seats in the full rearward and full downward position.
S9.2.4 The lower anchorages shall be located such that the lower anchorage depth tool depicted in Drawing Package, Anchorage Depth Tool, dated April 2020 (incorporated by reference; see § 571.5), measures an anchorage depth of 25 mm or less using the procedure in S11(c) of this standard.
S9.2.5 The lower anchorages shall be located such that the tool depicted in Drawing Package, Clearance Angle Tool, dated April 2020 (incorporated by reference; see § 571.5), measures a clearance angle of at least 54 degrees using the procedure in S11(b) of this standard.
S9.3 Adequate fit of the lower anchorages. Each vehicle and each child restraint anchorage system in that vehicle shall be designed such that the CRF can be placed inside the vehicle and attached to the lower anchorages of each child restraint anchorage system, with adjustable seats adjusted as described in S9.3(a) and (b).
(a) Place adjustable seat backs in the manufacturer's nominal design riding position in the manner specified by the manufacturer; and
(b) Place adjustable seats in the full rearward and full downward position.
(c) To facilitate installation of the CRF in a vehicle seat, the side, back and top frames of the CRF may be removed for installation in the vehicle, as indicated in Figure 1A of this standard. If necessary, the height of the CRF may be 560 mm.
S9.4 Strength of the lower anchorages.
S9.4.1 When tested in accordance with S11, the lower anchorages shall not allow point X on SFAD 2 to be displaced horizontally more than the distances specified below, after preloading the device—
(a) 175 mm, when a force of 11,000 N is applied in a forward direction in a vertical longitudinal plane; and
(b) 150 mm, for lower anchorages when a force of 5,000 N is applied in a lateral direction in a vertical longitudinal plane that is 75 ±5 degrees to either side of a vertical longitudinal plane.
S9.4.1.1 Forces described in S9.4.1(a), forward direction, shall be applied with an initial force application angle of 10 ±5 degrees above the horizontal. Forces described in S9.4.1(b), lateral direction, shall be applied horizontally (0 ±5 degrees).
S9.4.1.2 The amount of displacement is measured relative to an undisturbed point on the vehicle body.
S9.4.2 Provisions for simultaneous and sequential testing. (a) In the case of vehicle seat assemblies equipped with more than one child restraint anchorage system, the lower anchorages may, at the agency's option, be tested simultaneously. However, forces may not be applied simultaneously for any two adjacent seating positions whose midpoints are less than 400 mm apart, as measured in accordance with S9.4.2(a)(1) and (2) and Figure 20.
(1) The midpoint of the seating position lies in the vertical longitudinal plane that is equidistant from vertical longitudinal planes through the geometric center of each of the two lower anchorages at the seating position.
(2) Measure the distance between the vertical longitudinal planes passing through the midpoints of the adjacent seating positions, as measured along a line perpendicular to the planes.
(b) The lower anchorages of a particular child restraint anchorage system will not be tested if one or both of the anchorages have been previously tested under this standard.
S9.5 Marking and conspicuity requirements.
S9.5.1 Requirements for lower anchors. Lower anchorages must meet the requirements in S9.5.1(a) or (b).
(a) For each bar installed pursuant to S4, the vehicle shall be permanently marked with a circle:
(1) That is not less than 13 mm in diameter;
(2) That is either solid or open, with or without words, symbols, or pictograms, provided that if words, symbols or pictograms are used, their meaning is explained to the consumer in writing, such as in the vehicle's owner's manual; and
(3) That is located such that its center is on each seat back between 50 and 100 mm above or on the seat cushion 100 ±25 mm forward of the intersection of the vertical transverse and horizontal longitudinal planes intersecting at the horizontal centerline of each lower anchorage, as illustrated in figure 22 to this section. The center of the circle must be in the vertical longitudinal plane that passes through the center of the bar (±25 mm).
(4) The circle may be on a tag.
(b) The vehicle shall be configured such that the following is visible: Each of the bars installed pursuant to S4, or a permanently attached guide device for each bar. The bar or guide device must be visible without the compression of the seat cushion or seat back, when the bar or device is viewed, in a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the center of the bar or guide device, along a line making an upward 30-degree angle with a horizontal plane. Seat backs are in the nominal design riding position. The bars may be covered by a removable cap or cover, provided that the cap or cover is permanently marked with words, symbols or pictograms whose meaning is explained to the consumer in written form as part of the owner's manual.
S9.5.2 Requirements for lower anchors. Lower anchorages must meet the requirements in S9.5.2(a) and (b), as applicable.
(a) For each bar installed pursuant to S4, the vehicle shall be permanently marked with a symbol that:
(1) Is not less than 13 mm in diameter;
(2) Contains the pictogram shown in figure 24 to this section; and
(3) Is located such that its center is on each seat back between 50 and 100 mm above or on the seat cushion between 100 to −50 mm forward of the intersection of the vertical transverse and horizontal longitudinal planes intersecting at the horizontal centerline of each lower anchorage, as illustrated in figure 19 to this section. The center of the symbol must be in the vertical longitudinal plane that passes through the center of the bar (±25 mm).
(4) The symbol may be on a tag.
(b) The bars may be covered by a removable cap or cover, provided that the cap or cover is permanently marked with the pictogram shown in figure 24 to this section. If the cap or cover is permanently attached to the vehicle, the lower anchorage bars are not required to be separately marked with the pictogram. If the cap or cover is not permanently attached to the vehicle, the lower anchorage bars must also be marked with the symbol meeting S9.5.2(a)(1) through (4).
S10. Test conditions for testing the lower anchorages. The test conditions described in this paragraph apply to the test procedures in S11.
(a) Adjust vehicle seats to their full rearward and full downward position and place the seat backs in their most upright position. When SFAD 2 is used in testing and cannot be attached to the lower anchorages with the seat back in this position, adjust the seat back as recommended by the manufacturer in its instructions for attaching child restraints. If no instructions are provided, adjust the seat back to the position closest to the upright position that enables SFAD 2 to attach to the lower anchorages.
(b) Head restraints are adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, provided pursuant to S12, as to how the head restraints should be adjusted when using the child restraint anchorage system. If instructions with regard to head restraint adjustment are not provided pursuant to S12, the head restraints are adjusted to any position.
S11. Test procedures. Each vehicle shall meet the requirements of this standard when tested according to the following procedures. Where a range of values is specified, the vehicle shall be able to meet the requirements at all points within the range.
(a) Strength requirements —(1) Forward force direction. Place SFAD 2 in the vehicle seating position and attach it to the two lower anchorages of the child restraint anchorage system. Do not attach the tether anchorage. A rearward horizontal force of 135 ±15 N is applied to the center of the lower front crossbar of SFAD 2 to press the device against the seat back as the fore-aft position of the rearward extensions of the SFAD is adjusted to remove any slack or tension. Apply a preload force of 500 N horizontally and in the vertical centerline of the SFAD 2 at point X. Increase the pull force as linearly as practicable to a full force application of 11,000 N in not less than 24 seconds and not more than 30 seconds and maintain at an 11,000 N level for 1 second.
(2) Lateral force direction. Place SFAD 2 in the vehicle seating position and attach it to the two lower anchorages of the child restraint anchorage system. Do not attach the tether anchorage. A rearward force of 135 ±15 N is applied to the center of the lower front crossbar of SFAD 2 to press the device against the seat back as the fore-aft position of the rearward extensions of the SFAD is adjusted to remove any slack or tension. Apply a preload force of 500 N horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the SFAD 2 at point X of the test device. Increase the pull force as linearly as practicable to a full force application of 5,000 N in not less than 24 seconds and not more than 30 seconds and maintain at a 5,000 N level for 1 second.
(b) Clearance angle. The seat back angle, if adjustable, is set at the manufacturer's nominal design seat back angle. If the position is not specified, set the seat back at the first detent rearward of 25° from the vertical. Remove or open any lower anchorage cover, if present, to expose the lower anchorage. To measure clearance angle, attach the clearance angle tool to the lower anchorage and apply a vertical force of 67 N (15 lbf) to the tool. Measure the angle (with respect to the horizontal) of the tool while the force is being applied.
(c) Anchorage depth. The seat back angle, if adjustable, is set at the manufacturer's nominal design seat back angle. If the position is not specified, set the seat back at the first detent rearward of 25° from the vertical. To measure the anchorage depth, subtract 30 degrees from the measured seat pan angle to calculate the view angle. With the anchorage depth tool ( see figure 28 to this section) on a flat surface, adjust the view bar to read the view angle. Slide the zeroing strip along the view bar so that it is barely touching the top of the depth tool hook. Move the view bar forward, so the end of the zeroing strip is aligned with the zero-scribe line. For hidden anchorages, slide the anchorage depth tool so that it reads 0 mm at the rear edge of the slider. For visible anchorages, align the depth gauge to 25 mm so that negative values can be read. Attach the depth tool centered to the lower anchorage. Adjust the depth tool base to be within ±2 degrees of the view angle (30 degrees minus seat pan angle) to set the tool-parallel to the seat pan angle. Move the entire slider bar forward until the zeroing strip contacts the vehicle seat back or any other vehicle part.
S12. Written instructions. Vehicles subject to Standard No. 225 (this section) shall meet the written instruction requirements specified in either S12.1 or S12.2 according to the phase-in schedule specified in S13.
S12.1 Written instructions shall:
(a) Indicate which seating positions in the vehicle are equipped with tether anchorages and child restraint anchorage systems;
(b) In the case of vehicles required to be marked as specified in paragraphs S4.1 and S9.5 of this standard, explain the meaning of markings provided to locate the lower anchorages of child restraint anchorage systems; and
(c) Include instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorages.
S12.2 Written instructions shall:
(a) Indicate which seating positions in the vehicle are equipped with tether anchorages and child restraint anchorage systems;
(b) In the case of vehicles required to be marked as specified in paragraphs S4.1 and S9.5 of this standard, explain the meaning of markings provided to locate the lower anchorages of child restraint anchorage systems and the top tether anchorages;
(c) Include instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorages;
(d) Include instructions on how to locate and access the tether anchorage and the lower anchorages; and
(e) Use the following terms when referring to the different components of the child restraint anchorage system that are used to connect the child restraint system to the vehicle: “lower anchor” means the lower anchorage of the child restraint anchorage system in the vehicle, “tether anchor” means the top tether anchorage of the child restraint anchorage system in the vehicle, “lower anchor attachment” means the child restraint system or the detachable base's (in the case of a rear-facing child restraint with a detachable base) lower anchorage connector and the lower anchorage strap (for flexible lower anchorage attachments), “rigid lower anchor attachment” means the child restraint system or the detachable base's (in the case of a rear-facing child restraint with a detachable base) lower anchorage connector that is rigidly attached to the CRS or detachable base, respectively, and does not have a lower anchorage strap, and “tether” means the child restraints system's tether hook and tether strap.
S13 Phase-in schedule. The S13 phase in schedule details when listed requirements become inactive and are replaced by newer requirements. Requirements in Standard No. 225 (this section) not listed in S13 shall be in effect before, during, and after the S13 phase-in.
S13.1 Vehicle certification information. At any time during the production years ending August 31, 2029, and August 31, 2030, each manufacturer shall, upon request from the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, provide information identifying the vehicles (by make, model and vehicle identification number) that have been certified as complying with the child restraint anchorage usability requirements of this standard. Manufacturers shall specify the number of vehicles meeting each phase-in percentage. The manufacturer's designation of a vehicle as a certified vehicle is irrevocable.
S13.1.1 Pre phase-in. Vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2028, are subject to S6.1.1, S6.2.1, S9.2.1, S9.2.2, S9.2.3, S9.5.1, and S12.1 of this standard.
S13.1.2 Phase-in year 1. Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2028, and before September 1, 2029. The total number of individual vehicles complying with S6.1.2, S6.2.2, S6.4, S9.2 (except for S9.2.2(a)), S9.5.2, and S12.2 of this standard shall be not less than 20 percent of a vehicle manufacturer's total production for this time period. The remaining 80 percent of a vehicle manufacturer's total production are subject to S6.1.1, S6.2.1, S9.2.1, S9.2.2, S9.2.3, S9.5.1, and S12.1 of this standard.
S13.1.3 Phase-in year 2. Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2029, and before September 1, 2030. The total number of individual vehicles complying with S6.1.2, S6.2.2, S6.4, S9.2 (except for S9.2.2(a)), S9.5.2, and S12.2 of this standard shall be not less than 50 percent of a vehicle manufacturer's total production for this time period. The remaining 50 percent of a vehicle manufacturer's total production are subject to S6.1.1, S6.2.1, S9.2.1, S9.2.2, S9.2.3, S9.5.1, and S12.1 of this standard.
S13.1.4 Phase-in year 3 and beyond. Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2030. The total number of vehicles complying with S6.1.2, S6.2.2, S6.4, S9.2 (except for S9.2.2(a)), S9.5.2, and S12.2 shall be not less than 100 percent of a vehicle manufacturer's total production.
S13.2 Vehicles produced by more than one manufacturer.
S13.2.1 For the purpose of calculating average annual production of vehicles for each manufacturer and the number of vehicles manufactured by each manufacturer under S13.1.1 through S13.1.4, a vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer shall be attributed to a single manufacturer as follows:
(a) A vehicle which is imported shall be attributed to the importer.
(b) A vehicle manufactured in the United States by more than one manufacturer, one of which also markets the vehicle, shall be attributed to the manufacturer which markets the vehicle.
S13.2.2 A vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer shall be attributed to any one of the vehicle's manufacturers specified by an express written contract, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under 49 CFR part 585, between the manufacturers so specified and the manufacturer to which the vehicle would otherwise be attributed under S13.2.1.
Note 1 to Figure 24 to § 571.225: Drawing not to scale.
Note 2 to Figure 24 to § 71.225: Symbol may be shown in mirror image.
Note 3 to Figure 24 to § 571.225: Color of the symbol at the option of the manufacturer.
Note 1 to Figure 25 to § 571.225: Drawing not to scale.
Note 2 to Figure 25 to § 571.225: Symbol may be shown in mirror image.
Note 3 to Figure 25 to § 571.225: Color of the symbol at the option of the manufacturer.
Note 1 to Figure 26 to § 571.225: (Tolerance of ± half of the anchorage length)/(Tolerance of ± half of the pictogram height).
§ 571.226   Standard No. 226; Ejection Mitigation.
S1. Purpose and Scope. This standard establishes requirements for ejection mitigation systems to reduce the likelihood of complete and partial ejections of vehicle occupants through side windows during rollovers or side impact events.
S2. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, and to multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks designed to carry at least one person, and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less, except walk-in vans, modified roof vehicles, convertibles, and vehicles with no doors or with doors that are designed to be easily attached or removed so the vehicle can be operated without doors. Also excluded from this standard are law enforcement vehicles, correctional institution vehicles, taxis and limousines, if they have a fixed security partition separating the 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd rows and if they are produced by more than one manufacturer or are altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR 567.7).
S3. Definitions.
Ejection impactor means a device specified in S7.1 of this standard that is a component of the ejection mitigation test device and is the moving mass that strikes the ejection mitigation countermeasure.
Ejection impactor targeting point means the intersection of the y-axis of the ejection headform and the outer surface of the ejection headform.
Ejection mitigation countermeasure means a device or devices, except seat belts, integrated into the vehicle that reduce the likelihood of occupant ejection through a side window opening, and that requires no action by the occupant for activation.
Ejection propulsion mechanism means a device that is a component of the ejection mitigation test device consisting of a mechanism capable of propelling the ejection impactor and constraining it to move along its axis or shaft.
Limited-line manufacturer means a manufacturer that sells three or fewer carlines, as that term is defined in 49 CFR 583.4, in the United States during a production year.
Modified roof means the replacement roof on a motor vehicle whose original roof has been removed, in part or in total, or a roof that has to be built over the occupant compartment in vehicles that did not have an original roof over the occupant compartment.
Movable window means a daylight opening composed of glazing designed to be moved with respect to the vehicle or frame while the vehicle is in motion.
Side daylight opening means, other than a door opening, the locus of all points where a horizontal line, perpendicular to the vehicle vertical longitudinal plane, is tangent to the periphery of the opening. The periphery includes surfaces 100 millimeters inboard of the inside surface of the window glazing and 25 mm outboard of the outside surface of the side glazing. The periphery excludes the following: any flexible gasket material or weather stripping used to create a waterproof seal between the glazing or door and the vehicle interior; grab handles used to facilitate occupant egress and ingress; and any part of a seat.
Small manufacturer means an original vehicle manufacturer that produces or assembles fewer than 5,000 vehicles annually for sale in the United States.
Target means the x-z plane projection of the ejection headform face as shown in Figure 1.
Walk-in van means a special cargo/mail delivery vehicle that only has a driver designated seating position. The vehicle has a sliding (or folding) side door and a roof clearance that enables a person of medium stature to enter the passenger compartment area in an up-right position.
Zero displacement plane means, a vertical plane parallel to the vehicle longitudinal centerline and tangent to the most outboard surface of the ejection headform when the headform is aligned with an impact target location and just touching the inside surface of a window covering the side daylight opening.
S4. Phase-in, performance and other requirements.
S4.1 Phase-in requirements.
S4.1.1 Except as provided in S4.1.3 of this standard, a percentage of each manufacturer's vehicle production, as specified in S8 of this standard, manufactured on or after September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2017, shall meet the requirements of S4.2. Vehicles that are not subject to the phase-in may be certified as meeting the requirements specified in this standard.
S4.1.2 Except as provided in S4.1.3 of this section, each vehicle manufactured on or after September 1, 2017 must meet the requirements of S4.2 without use of advanced credits.
S4.1.3 Exceptions from the phase-in; special allowances.
(a) Vehicles produced by a small manufacturer and by a limited line manufacturer are not subject to S4.1.1 of this standard, but are subject to S4.1.2.
(b) Vehicles that are altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR 567.7) before September 1, 2018, after having been previously certified in accordance with part 567 of this chapter, and vehicles manufactured in two or more stages before September 1, 2018, are not required to meet the requirements of S4.2. Vehicles that are altered on or after September 1, 2018, and vehicles that are manufactured in two or more stages on or after September 1, 2018, must meet the requirements of S4.2.
S4.2 Performance and other requirements.
S4.2.1 When the ejection propulsion mechanism propels the ejection impactor into the impact target locations of each side daylight opening of a vehicle according to the test procedures specified in S5 of this standard, the most outboard surface of the ejection headform must not displace more than 100 millimeters beyond the zero displacement plane.
S4.2.1.1 No vehicle shall use movable glazing as the sole means of meeting the displacement limit of S4.2.1.
S4.2.1.2 Vehicles with an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover must deploy the countermeasure for the side daylight opening being tested according to the procedure specified in S5 of this standard.
S4.2.1.3 If a side daylight opening contains no target locations, the impact test of S4.2.1 is not performed on that opening.
S4.2.2 Vehicles that have an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover must have a monitoring system with a readiness indicator. The indicator shall monitor its own readiness and must be clearly visible from the driver's designated seating position. The same readiness indicator required by S4.5.2 of FMVSS No. 208 may be used to meet the requirement. A list of the elements of the system being monitored by the indicator shall be included with the information furnished in accordance with S4.2.3.
S4.2.3 Written information.
(a) Vehicles with an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover must be described as such in the vehicle's owner manual or in other written information provided by the vehicle manufacturer to the consumer.
(b) Vehicles that have an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover must include in written information a discussion of the readiness indicator required by S4.2.2, specifying a list of the elements of the system being monitored by the indicator, a discussion of the purpose and location of the telltale, and instructions to the consumer on the steps to take if the telltale is illuminated.
S4.2.4 Technical Documentation. For vehicles that have an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover, the vehicle manufacturer must make available to the agency, upon request, the following information: A discussion of the sensor system used to deploy the countermeasure, including the pertinent inputs to the computer or calculations within the computer and how its algorithm uses that information to determine if the countermeasure should be deployed.
S5. Test procedures.
S5.1 Demonstrate compliance with S4.2 of this standard in accordance with the test procedures specified in this standard, under the conditions of S6, using the equipment described in S7. In the impact test described by these procedures, target locations are identified (S5.2) and the zero displacement plane location is determined (S5.3). The glazing is pre-broken, fully retracted or removed prior to the impact test (S5.4). The countermeasure is deployed, if applicable, and an ejection impactor (see S7.1) strikes the countermeasure at the impact target locations, at the specified speeds and times (S5.5). The lateral displacement of the ejection impactor beyond the zero displacement plane is measured.
S5.2 Determination of impact target locations.
S5.2.1 Boundary of target location.
S5.2.1.1 Initial determination of offset line. Determine the location of an offset-line within the side daylight opening by projecting each point of the side daylight opening laterally onto a vehicle vertical longitudinal plane. Move each point by 25±2 mm towards the center of the side daylight opening projection and perpendicular to a line tangent to the projection at that point, while maintaining the point on a vehicle vertical longitudinal plane.
S5.2.1.2 Rearmost limit of offset line.
(a) Seats fixed in a forward facing direction. Except as provided in S5.2.1.2(b), if an offset line extends rearward of a transverse vertical vehicle plane located behind the seating reference point at the distance specified in 5.2.1.2(a)(1) or (2), the transverse vertical vehicle plane defines the rearward edge of the offset line for the purposes of determining target locations.
(1) For a vehicle with fewer than 3 rows—1,400 mm behind the rearmost SgRP.
(2) For a vehicle with 3 or more rows—600 mm behind the 3rd row SgRP.
(b) Seats not fixed in a forward facing direction. When the last row seat adjacent to the opening, in the case of a vehicle with fewer than 3 rows, or the 3rd row seat adjacent to the opening, in the case of a vehicle with 3 or more rows, is not fixed in the forward facing direction, the offset line may extend farther rearward than specified in S5.2.1.2(a) under the following conditions. With the seat in any non-forward facing orientation, the seat back set at an inclination position closest to the manufacturer's design seat back angle, and all other seat adjustments at any possible position of adjustment, determine the location of a vertical transverse vehicle plane located behind the portion of the seat rearmost in the vehicle, at the distance specified in 5.2.1.2(b)(1) and (2). The boundary of target locations extends to this vertical plane if it is farther rearward than the plane determined in S5.2.1.2(a).
(1) For a vehicle with fewer than 3 rows—1,400 mm behind the portion of the seat rearmost in the vehicle.
(2) For a vehicle with 3 or more rows—600 mm behind the portion of the seat rearmost in the vehicle, for a seat in the 3rd row.
(c) Vehicles with partitions or bulkheads. If a vehicle has a fixed transverse partition or bulkhead behind which there are no designated seating positions, a vertical transverse vehicle plane 25 mm forward of the most forward portion of the partition or bulkhead defines the rearward edge of the offset line for the purposes of determining target locations when said plane is forward of the limiting plane defined in S5.2.1.2(a) or (b).
S5.2.2 Preliminary target locations.
(a) To identify the impact target locations, the following procedures are performed with the x and z axes of the target, shown in Figure 1 (provided for illustration purposes), aligned within ±1 degree of the vehicle longitudinal and vertical axes, respectively, and the target y axis pointing in the outboard direction.
(b) Place targets at any location inside the offset-line where the target is tangent to within ±2 mm of the offset-line at just two or three points (see Figure 2) (figure provided for illustration purposes).
S5.2.3 Determination of primary target locations. Divide the side daylight opening into four quadrants by passing a vertical line and a horizontal line, in a vehicle vertical longitudinal plane, through the geometric center of the side daylight opening.
S5.2.3.1 Front windows. For any side daylight opening forward of the vehicle B-pillar, the primary quadrants are the forward-lower and rearward-upper.
S5.2.3.2 Rear windows. For any side daylight opening rearward of the B-pillar, the primary quadrants are the forward-upper and rearward-lower.
S5.2.3.3 If a primary quadrant contains only one target center, that target is the primary target for that quadrant ( see Figure 3) (figure provided for illustration purposes). If there is more than one target center in a primary quadrant, the primary target for that quadrant is the lowest target in a lower quadrant and the highest target in an upper quadrant. If there is a primary quadrant that does not contain a target center, the target center closest to the primary quadrant outline is the primary target.
S5.2.4 Determination of secondary target locations.
S5.2.4.1 Front windows. Measure the horizontal distance between the centers of the primary targets. For a side daylight opening forward of the B-pillar, place one secondary target center rearward of the forward primary target by one-third of the horizontal distance between the primary target centers and tangent with upper portion of the offset-line. Place another secondary target center rearward of the forward primary target by two-thirds of the horizontal distance between the primary target centers and tangent with the lower portion of the offset-line ( see figure 4) (figure provided for illustration purposes).
S5.2.4.2 Rear windows. For side daylight openings rearward of the B-pillar, place one secondary target center rearward of the forward primary target by one-third of the horizontal distance between the primary target centers and tangent with lower portion of the offset-line. Place another secondary target center rearward of the forward primary target by two-thirds of the horizontal distance between the primary target centers and tangent with the upper portion of the offset-line ( see Figure 4) (figure provided for illustration purposes).
S5.2.5 Target adjustment.
S5.2.5.1 Target elimination and reconstitution.
S5.2.5.1.1 Target elimination. Determine the horizontal and vertical distance between the centers of the targets. If the minimum distance between the z axes of the targets is less than 135 mm and the minimum distance between the x axes of the targets is less than 170 mm, eliminate the targets in the order of priority given in steps 1 through 4 of Table 1 (see Figure 5, 5a and 5b) (figures provided for illustration purposes). In each case, both the z axes of the targets must be closer than 135 mm and x axes of the targets must be closer than 170 mm. If the minimum distance between the z axes of the targets is not less than 135 mm or the minimum distance between the x axes of the targets is not less than 170 mm, do not eliminate the target. Continue checking all the targets listed in steps 1 through 4 of Table 1.
Table 1—Priority List of Target Distance To Be Checked Against Limits
S5.2.5.1.2 Target reconstitution. If after following the procedure given in S5.2.5.1.1, there are only two targets remaining, determine the absolute distance between the centers of these targets. If this distance is greater than or equal to 360 mm, place a target such that its center bisects a line connecting the centers of the remaining targets.
S5.2.5.2 Target reorientation—90 degree rotation. If after following the procedure given in S5.2.5.1 there are less than four targets in a side daylight opening, repeat the procedure in 5.2 through 5.2.5.1.2, with a modification to S5.2 as follows. Reorient the target by rotating it 90 degrees about the y axis of the target such that the target positive z axis is aligned within ±1 degree of the vehicle longitudinal axis, pointing in the direction of the vehicle positive x axis (see Figures 5a and 5b) (figures provided for illustration purposes). If after performing the procedure in this section, the remaining targets exceed the number of targets determined with the original orientation of the target, the reoriented targets represent the final target locations for the side daylight opening.
S5.2.5.3 Target reorientation incremental rotation. If after following the procedure given in S5.2.5.2 there are no targets in a side daylight opening, starting with the target in the position defined in S5.2.2(a), reorient the target by rotating it in 5 degree increments about the y axis of the target by rotating the target positive z axis toward the vehicle positive x axis. At each increment of rotation, attempt to fit the target within the offset line of the side daylight opening. At the first increment of rotation where the target will fit, place the target center as close as possible to the geometric center of the side daylight opening. If more than one position exists that is closest to the geometric center of the side daylight opening, select the lowest.
S5.3 Determination of zero displacement plane. The glazing covering the target location of the side daylight opening being tested is intact and in place in the case of fixed glazing and intact and fully closed in the case of movable glazing. With the ejection impactor targeting point aligned within ±2 mm of the center of any target location specified in S5.2, and with the ejection impactor on the inside of the vehicle, slowly move the impactor towards the window until contact is made with the interior of the glazing with no more than 20 N of pressure being applied to the window. The location of the most outboard surface of the headform establishes the zero displacement plane for this target location.
S5.4 Window position and condition. Subject to S5.5(b), prior to impact testing, the glazing covering the target location must be removed from the side daylight opening, fully retracted, or pre-broken according to the procedure in S5.4.1, at the vehicle manufacturer's option.
S5.4.1 Window glazing pre-breaking procedure.
S5.4.1.1 Breakage pattern. Locate the geometric center of the side daylight opening, established in S5.2.3 of this standard. Mark the outside surface of the window glazing in a horizontal and vertical grid of points separated by 75±2 mm with one point coincident within ±2 mm of the geometric center of the side daylight opening (see Figure 6) (figure provided for illustration purposes). Mark the inside surface of the window glazing in a horizontal and vertical grid of points separated by 75±2 mm with the entire grid horizontally offset by 37.5 ±2 mm from the grid of points on the outside of the glazing.
S5.4.1.2 Breakage method.
(a) Start with the inside surface of the window and forward-most, lowest mark made as specified in S5.4.1.1 of this standard. Use a center punch in this procedure. The punch tip has a 5 ±2 mm diameter prior to coming to a point. The spring is adjusted to require 150 ±25 N of force to activate the punch. Only once at each mark location, apply pressure to activate the spring in the center punch in a direction which is perpendicular to the tangent of the window surface at the point of contact, within ±10 degrees. Apply the pressure only once at each mark location, even if the glazing does not break or no hole results.
(b) Use a 100 ±10 mm × 100 ±10 mm piece of plywood with a minimum thickness of 18 mm as a reaction surface on the opposite side of the glazing to prevent to the extent possible the window surface from deforming by more than 10 mm when pressure is being applied to the hole-punch.
(c) Continue the procedure with the center punch by moving rearward in the grid until the end of a row is reached. When the end of a row is reached, move to the forward-most mark on the next higher row and continue the procedure. Continue in this pattern until the procedure is conducted at each marked location on the inside surface of the glazing.
(d) Repeat the process on the outside surface of the window.
(e) If punching a hole causes the glazing to disintegrate, halt the breakage procedure and proceed with the headform impact test.
S5.5 Impact speeds and time delays. The ejection impactor speeds specified below must be achieved after propulsion has ceased.
(a) Vehicles with or without an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in a rollover. For a vehicle with an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in a rollover, using the ejection propulsion mechanism, propel the ejection impactor such that it first strikes the countermeasure, while aligned with any target location specified in S5.2 of this standard, 1.5 ±0.1 seconds after activation of the ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover, and at a speed of 20 ±0.5 km/h. For a vehicle without an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in a rollover, propel the ejection impactor at any time such that it first strikes the countermeasure, while aligned with any target location specified in S5.2 of this standard, at a speed of 20 ±0.5 km/h.
(b) Vehicles with an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in a rollover. For a vehicle with an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in a rollover, remove or fully retract any movable glazing from the side daylight opening. Using the ejection propulsion mechanism, propel the ejection impactor such that it first strikes the countermeasure, while aligned with any target location specified in S5.2 of this standard, 6.0 ±0.1 seconds after activation of an ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover, and at a speed of 16 ±0.5 km/h.
(c) An ejection mitigation countermeasure that deploys in the event of a rollover is described as such in the vehicle's owner manual or in other written information provided by the vehicle manufacturer to the consumer.
S5.6 Ejection impactor orientation.
S5.6.1 If the targets for the side daylight opening being impacted were determined by the procedure specified in S5.2.2 through S5.2.5.1 only, the ejection impactor orientation is as follows. At the time of launch of the ejection impactor the x, y and z axes of the ejection headform must be aligned within ±1 degree of the vehicle longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes, respectively.
S5.6.2 If the targets for the side daylight opening being impacted were determined by the procedure specified in S5.2.5.2, the ejection impactor orientation is as follows. At the time of launch the ejection impactor is rotated by 90 degrees about the ejection headform y axis, from the orientation specified in S5.6.1, resulting in the headform positive z axis pointing in the direction of the vehicle positive x axis.
S5.6.3 If the targets for the side daylight opening being impacted were determined by the procedure specified in S5.2.5.3, the ejection impactor orientation is as follows. At the time of launch the ejection impactor is rotated about the y axis of the ejection headform by rotating the headform positive z axis towards the vehicle positive x axis, in the increment determined to be necessary in S5.2.5.3 to fit the target within the side daylight opening.
S5.6.4 After any test, extend the ejection impactor to the zero plane and determine that x, y and z axes of the ejection headform remain aligned within ±1 degree of its orientation at launch as specified in S5.6.1—5.6.3.
S6 General test conditions.
S6.1 Vehicle test attitude. The vehicle is supported off its suspension at an attitude determined in accordance with S6.1(a) through (f).
(a) The vehicle is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight.
(b) All tires are inflated to the manufacturer's specifications listed on the vehicle's tire placard.
(c) Place vehicle on a level surface.
(d) Pitch: Measure the sill angle of the left front door sill and mark where the angle is measured.
(e) Roll: Mark a point on the vehicle body above the left and right front wheel wells. Determine the vertical height of these two points from the level surface.
(f) Support the vehicle off its suspension such that the left front door sill angle is within ±1 degree of that measured at the marked area in S6.1(d) and the vertical height difference of the two points marked in S6.1(e) is within ±5 mm of the vertical height difference determined in S6.1(e).
S6.2 Doors.
(a) Except as provided in S6.2(b) or S6.2(c), doors, including any rear hatchback or tailgate, are fully closed and latched but not locked.
(b) During testing, any side door on the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle from the target to be impacted may be open or removed.
(c) During testing, any rear hatchback or tailgate may be open or removed for testing any target.
S6.3 Steering wheel, steering column, seats, grab handles, and exterior mirrors. During targeting and testing, the steering wheel, steering column, seats, grab handles and exterior mirrors may be removed from the vehicle or adjusted to facilitate testing and/or provide an unobstructed path for headform travel through and beyond the vehicle.
S6.4 Other vehicle components and structures. During targeting and testing, interior vehicle components and vehicle structures other than specified in S6.2 and S6.3 may be removed or adjusted to the extent necessary to allow positioning of the ejection propulsion mechanism and provide an unobstructed path for the headform travel through and beyond the vehicle.
S6.5 Temperature and humidity.
(a) During testing, the ambient temperature is between 18 degrees C. and 29 degrees C., at any relative humidity between 10 percent and 70 percent.
(b) The headform specified in S7.1.1 of this standard is exposed to the conditions specified in S6.5(a) for a continuous period not less than one hour, prior to the test.
S7. Ejection mitigation test device specifications. The ejection mitigation test device consists of an ejection impactor and ejection propulsion mechanism with the following specifications. The ability of a test device to meet these specifications may be determined outside of the vehicle.
S7.1 Ejection impactor. The ejection impactor consists of an ejection headform attached to a shaft. The ejection impactor has a mass of 18 kg ±0.05 kg. The shaft is parallel to the y axis of the headform.
S7.1.1 Ejection headform dimensions. The ejection headform has the dimensions shown in Figure 1 and is depicted in the “Parts List; Ejection Mitigation Headform Drawing Package,” December 2010, and the “Parts List and Drawings; Ejection Mitigation Headform Drawing Package,” December 2010 (incorporated by reference; see § 571.5).
S7.2 Static deflection. The ejection impactor targeting point must not deflect more than 20 mm in the x-z plane when a 981 N ±5 N force is applied in a vehicle vertical longitudinal plane, through the y axis of the headform and no more than 5 mm rear of the posterior surface of the headform. The force is applied once in each of the following headform axes: + z, −z, + x, −x. The static deflection measurement is made with the ejection impactor extended 400 mm outboard of the theoretical point of impact with the countermeasure and attached to the ejection propulsion mechanism, including any support frame and anchors.
S7.3 Frictional characteristics.
(a) Measure the dynamic coefficient of friction of the ejection impactor and any associated bearings and bearing housing in a test ready orientation. Repeat the measurement in three more orientations with the ejection impactor and any associated bearings and bearing housing rotated 90, 180 and 270 degrees about the headform y axis. Perform the measurement five consecutive times at each orientation.
(b) Measure the average force necessary to move the ejection impactor 200 mm rearward into the ejection propulsion mechanism at a rate of 50 (±13) mm per second, starting at a point 400 mm outboard of the theoretical point of impact with the countermeasure. Measure the force to an accuracy of ±5 N. The measurement excludes the force measured over the first 25 mm of travel and is recorded at a minimum frequency of 100 Hz. During the test a 100 kg ±0.5 kg mass is attached to the impactor with its center of gravity passing through the axis of motion of the impactor and no more than 5 mm rear of the posterior surface of the headform.
(c) Take the five force level averages made at each impactor orientation in S7.3(a) and average them. Take the maximum of the force average values and divide by 9.81 times the combined mass of the ejection impactor and mass added in S7.3(b). The resulting value must not exceed 0.25.
S7.4 Targeting accuracy. Determine that the ejection mitigation test device can deliver the ejection impactor targeting point through a zone defined by a cylinder with a 20 mm diameter and 100 mm length, when the ejection impactor is moving at the speed specified in S5.5. The projection of the long axis of the cylinder is normal to the target and passes through the target center. The long axis of the cylinder is bisected by a vehicle vertical longitudinal plane passing through the theoretical point of impact with the countermeasure.
S8 Phase-in Schedule for Vehicle Certification.
S8.1 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2013 and before September 1, 2016. At anytime during the production years ending August 31, 2014, August 31, 2015, and August 31, 2016, each manufacturer shall, upon request from the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, provide information identifying the vehicles (by make, model and vehicle identification number) that have been certified as complying with this standard. The manufacturer's designation of a vehicle as a certified vehicle is irrevocable.
S8.2 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2013 and before September 1, 2014. Subject to S8.9, for vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2013 and before September 1, 2014, the number of vehicles complying with S4.2 shall be not less than 25 percent of:
(a) The manufacturer's average annual production of vehicles manufactured in the three previous production years; or
(b) The manufacturer's production in the current production year.
S8.3 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2014 and before September 1, 2015. Subject to S8.9, for vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2014 and before September 1, 2015, the number of vehicles complying with S4.2 shall be not less than 50 percent of:
(a) The manufacturer's average annual production of vehicles manufactured in the three previous production years; or
(b) The manufacturer's production in the current production year.
S8.4 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2015 and before September 1, 2016. Subject to S8.9, for vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2015 and before September 1, 2016, the number of vehicles complying with S4.2 shall be not less than 75 percent of:
(a) The manufacturer's average annual production of vehicles manufactured in the three previous production years; or
(b) The manufacturer's production in the current production year.
S8.5 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2016 and before September 1, 2017. Subject to S8.9, for vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2016 and before September 1, 2017, the number of vehicles complying with S4.2 shall be not less than 100 percent of the manufacturer's production in the current production year.
8.6 Vehicles produced by more than one manufacturer. For the purpose of calculating average annual production of vehicles for each manufacturer and the number of vehicles manufactured by each manufacturer under S8.1 through S8.4, a vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer shall be attributed to a single manufacturer as follows, subject to S8.7.
(a) A vehicle that is imported shall be attributed to the importer.
(b) A vehicle manufactured in the United States by more than one manufacturer, one of which also markets the vehicle, shall be attributed to the manufacturer that markets the vehicle.
S8.7 A vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer shall be attributed to any one of the vehicle's manufacturers specified by an express written contract, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under 49 CFR part 585, between the manufacturer so specified and the manufacturer to which the vehicle would otherwise be attributed under S8.5.
S8.8 For the purposes of calculating average annual production of vehicles for each manufacturer and the number of vehicles manufactured by each manufacturer under S8, do not count any vehicle that is excluded by this standard from the requirements.
S8.9 Calculation of complying vehicles.
(a) For the purposes of calculating the vehicles complying with S8.2, a manufacturer may count a vehicle if it is manufactured on or after March 1, 2011 but before September 1, 2014.
(b) For purposes of complying with S8.3, a manufacturer may count a vehicle if it—
(1) Is manufactured on or after March 1, 2011 but before September 1, 2015 and,
(2) Is not counted toward compliance with S8.2.
(c) For purposes of complying with S8.4, a manufacturer may count a vehicle if it—
(1) Is manufactured on or after March 1, 2011 but before September 1, 2016 and,
(2) Is not counted toward compliance with S8.2 or S8.3.
(d) For purposes of complying with S8.5, a manufacturer may count a vehicle if it—
(1) Is manufactured on or after March 1, 2011 but before September 1, 2017 and,
(2) Is not counted toward compliance with S8.2, S8.3, or S8.4.
(e) For the purposes of calculating average annual production of vehicles for each manufacturer and the number of vehicles manufactured by each manufacturer, each vehicle that is excluded from having to meet this standard is not counted.
§ 571.227   Standard No. 227; Bus rollover structural integrity.
S1. Scope. This standard establishes performance requirements for bus rollover structural integrity.
S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce death and injuries resulting from the structural collapse of the bus body structure in rollover crashes and from partial and complete ejections through emergency exits opening in such crashes.
S3. Application.
(a) Subject to S3(b), this standard applies to:
(1) Over-the-road buses; and
(2) Buses that are not over-the-road buses, and that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds).
(b) This standard does not apply to:
(1) School buses, school bus derivative buses, transit buses, and prison buses; and
(2) Buses with 7 or fewer designated seating positions rearward of the driver's seating position that are forward-facing or can convert to forward-facing without the use of tools.
S4. Definitions.
Occupant compartment means a space within the vehicle interior intended for driver and passenger use, excluding any space occupied by fixed appliances such as bars, kitchenettes, or toilets.
Over-the-road bus means a bus characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment.
Prison bus means a bus manufactured for the purpose of transporting persons subject to involuntary restraint or confinement and has design features consistent with that purpose.
School bus is defined in § 571.3.
School bus derivative bus means a bus that meets Federal motor vehicle safety standards for school buses regarding emergency exits (§ 571.217), rollover protection (§ 571.220), bus body joint strength (§ 571.221), and fuel system integrity (§ 571.301).
Stop-request system means a vehicle-integrated system for passenger to use to signal to a vehicle operator that they are requesting a stop.
Survival space means all points within a three-dimensional space in the occupant compartment as defined within the following volume:
(1) The front boundary of the survival space is a transverse vertical plane forward of the most forward seat (whether passenger, or driver seat) when the seat back is in the manufacturer's nominal design riding position. This transverse vertical plane is:
(i) For a forward-facing seat, 600 millimeters (mm) in front of the forward most point on the longitudinal centerline of the front surface of the seat back when the seat is in its forward most position;
(ii) For a rearward-facing seat, through the most forward point (relative to the vehicle) on the longitudinal centerline of the seat back when the seat is in its forward most position with respect to the vehicle;
(iii) For a side-facing seat, through the most forward point (relative to the vehicle) on the seat, including the seat back, seat arm rest, and seat cushion.
(2) The rear boundary of the survival space is the inside surface of the rear wall of the occupant compartment of the vehicle.
(3) The outer boundary of the survival space at any transverse cross section between, or at the front and rear boundaries, is defined on each side of the vehicle by the occupant compartment floor and the following three line segments (see Figure 1 of this section, provided for illustration purposes only):
(i) Segment 1 extends vertically from the floor to an end point that is 500 mm above the floor and 150 mm inboard of the side wall.
(ii) Segment 2 starts at the end point of Segment 1. The end point of Segment 2 is 750 mm vertically above and 250 mm horizontally inboard of the end point of Segment 1.
(iii) Segment 3 is a horizontal line that starts at the end point of Segment 2 and ends at the vertical longitudinal center plane of the vehicle.
Transit bus means a bus that is equipped with a stop-request system sold for public transportation provided by, or on behalf of, a Federal, State, or local government and that is not an over-the-road bus.
S5. Requirements. When tested under the conditions in S6 and the test procedures specified in S7, each bus shall meet the requirements in S5.1 and S5.2.
S5.1 Survival space intrusion. No part of the vehicle that is outside the survival space shall intrude into the survival space during the movement of the tilting platform or resulting from impact of the vehicle on the impact surface, except as provided below in this paragraph.
(a) Items separated from the vehicle and with a mass less than 60.0 grams that enter the survival space will not be considered for this evaluation of survival space intrusion.
(b) Portions of a bus over which there is not a permanent roof, such as the upper level of an open-top double-decker bus, will not be considered for this evaluation.
S5.2 Opening of Emergency exits. Emergency exits shall not open during the movement of the tilting platform or resulting from impact of the vehicle on the impact surface.
S6. Test conditions.
S6.1 Tilting platform.
S6.1.1 The tilting platform has a top surface that rests horizontally at its initial position and is of sufficient size to fully contact the bottom of the vehicle's tires, as shown in Figure 2 of this section (figure provided for illustration purposes only).
S6.1.2 The top surface of the tilting platform, at its initial position, is 800 ± 20 millimeters (mm) above the impact surface specified in S6.1.6, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of this section (figures provided for illustration purposes only).
S6.1.3 The axis of rotation of the tilting platform is a maximum of a 100 mm horizontal distance from the edge of the impact surface closest to the platform and a maximum of 100 mm below the horizontal plane at the top surface of the tilting platform as shown in Figure 3 of this section (figure provided for illustration purposes only).
S6.1.4 The tilting platform is equipped with rigid wheel supports on the top surface as illustrated in Figure 3 of this section (figure provided for illustration purposes only). At each vehicle axle, the wheel closest to the platform's axis of rotation is supported. The rigid wheel supports are positioned to make contact with the outboard tire sidewall of the supported wheels with the vehicle positioned as specified in S7(a) to prevent sliding of the vehicle during the test. Each rigid wheel support has the following dimensions:
(a) The height above the top surface of the tilting platform is no greater than two-thirds of the vertical height of the adjacent tire's sidewall.
(b) The width is a minimum of 19 mm.
(c) The length is a minimum of 500 mm.
(d) The top inboard edge has a radius of 10 mm.
S6.1.5 While raising the platform, the tilting platform roll angle, measured at the outside of each wheel farthest from the pivot point, does not differ by more than one degree.
S6.1.6 The impact surface is horizontal, uniform, dry, and smooth concrete. The impact surface covers an area that is large enough to ensure that the vehicle does not strike beyond the impact surface edges.
S6.2 Vehicle preparation.
S6.2.1 The vehicle's tires are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure.
S6.2.2 Test equipment may be attached securely to the bus structure such that the equipment does not break away from the bus structure from the time the tilting platform begins movement to after the vehicle comes to rest on the impact surface.
S6.2.3 Fixed seats may be removed or adjustable seats repositioned for the installation of test equipment in the survival space. Ballast of any weight up to the weight of the removed seat and 68 kg per designated seating position may be secured to the bus floor. The ballasts are not placed farther forward than the forward most point of the vehicle seat immediately in front of the removed seat, and the ballasts are not placed farther rearward than the rear most point of the vehicle seat immediately behind the removed seat.
S6.2.4 The fuel tank is filled to any level from 90 to 95 percent of capacity. All other vehicle fluids are filled to any level from 90 to 95 percent of capacity. Fluids may be substituted if the weight of the original fluid is maintained.
S6.2.5 Ballasting. The vehicle is loaded to any weight up to and including the GVWR. Up to 68 kilograms (150 pounds) of ballast is installed at all designated seating positions that are equipped with occupant restraints. The ballast is placed on the top of each seat cushion and attached securely to the seat frame such that it does not break away from the seat from the time the tilting platform begins movement to after the vehicle comes to rest on the impact surface.
S7 Rollover structural integrity test procedure. Each vehicle shall meet the requirements of S5 when prepared as specified in S6.2 and tested in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this S7.
(a) Position the vehicle on the tilting platform as illustrated in the examples of Figures 2 and 3 of this section with its longitudinal centerline parallel to the tilt platform's axis of rotation, the right or left side facing the impact surface at NHTSA's option, and with the outboard tire sidewall at the widest axle within 100 mm of the axis of rotation. (Figures provided for illustration purposes only.)
(b) Apply the vehicle parking brakes.
(c) Attach a rigid wheel support to the tilting platform at each axle of the vehicle so that it contacts the outboard tire sidewall of the wheel closest to the impact surface.
(d) Block the suspension system of the vehicle to be within ±25 mm of the normal riding attitude as loaded in S6.2.5.
(e) Vehicle windows, doors, and emergency exits are fully closed and latched but not locked.
(f) Tilt the vehicle at a rate not to exceed 5 degrees/second until it starts to rollover on its own.
§ 571.301   Standard No. 301; Fuel system integrity.
S1. Scope. This standard specifies requirements for the integrity of motor vehicle fuel systems.
S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries occurring from fires that result from fuel spillage during and after motor vehicle crashes, and resulting from ingestion of fuels during siphoning.
S3. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, and to multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses that have a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less and use fuel with a boiling point above 0 °C, and to school buses that have a GVWR greater than 4,536 kg and use fuel with a boiling point above 0 °C.
S4. Definition. Fuel spillage means the fall, flow, or run of fuel from the vehicle but does not include wetness resulting from capillary action.
S5. General requirements.
S5.1 Passenger cars, and multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. Each passenger car and each multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, and bus with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less shall meet the requirements of S6.1 through S6.4. Each of these types of vehicles that is manufactured to use alcohol fuels shall also meet the requirements of S6.6.
S5.2 [Reserved]
S5.3 [Reserved]
S5.4 Schoolbuses with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. Each schoolbus with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds shall meet the requirements of S6.5. Each schoolbus with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds that is manufactured to use alcohol fuels shall meet the requirements of S6.6.
S5.5 Fuel spillage; Barrier crash. Fuel spillage in any fixed or moving barrier crash test shall not exceed 28 g from impact until motion of the vehicle has ceased, and shall not exceed a total of 142 g in the 5-minute period following cessation of motion. For the subsequent 25-minute period, fuel spillage during any 1 minute interval shall not exceed 28 g.
S5.6 Fuel spillage; rollover. Fuel spillage in any rollover test, from the onset of rotational motion, shall not exceed a total of 142 g for the first 5 minutes of testing at each successive 90° increment. For the remaining test period, at each increment of 90° fuel spillage during any 1 minute interval shall not exceed 28 g.
S5.7. Alcohol fuel vehicles. Each vehicle manufactured to operate on an alcohol fuel (e.g., methanol, ethanol) or a fuel blend containing at least 20 percent alcohol fuel shall meet the requirements of S6.6.
S6. Test requirements. Each vehicle with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less shall be capable of meeting the requirements of any applicable barrier crash test followed by a static rollover, without alteration of the vehicle during the test sequence. A particular vehicle need not meet further requirements after having been subjected to a single barrier crash test and a static rollover test. Where manufacturer options are specified in this standard, the manufacturer must select an option not later than the time it certifies the vehicle and may not thereafter select a different option for that vehicle. Each manufacturer must, upon request from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, provide information regarding which of the compliance options it has selected for a particular vehicle or make/model.
S6.1 Frontal barrier crash. When the vehicle travelling longitudinally forward at any speed up to and including 48 km/h impacts a fixed collision barrier that is perpendicular to the line of travel of the vehicle, or at any angle up to 30° in either direction from the perpendicular to the line of travel of the vehicle, with 50th-percentile test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at each front outboard designated seating position and at any other position whose protection system is required to be tested by a dummy under the provisions of Standard No. 208, under the applicable conditions of S7., fuel spillage shall not exceed the limits of S5.5.
S6.2 Rear moving barrier crash. (a) Vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2006. When the vehicle is impacted from the rear by the barrier specified in S7.3(a) of this standard moving at 48 km/h, with 50th percentile test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at each front outboard designated seating position, under the applicable conditions of S7, fuel spillage must not exceed the limits of S5.5.
(b) Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2006. When the vehicle is impacted from the rear by a moving deformable barrier 80 ±1.0 km/h with a 70 percent overlap, with 50th percentile test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at each front outboard designated seating position, under the applicable conditions of S7, fuel spillage must not exceed the limits of S5.5.
(c) Small volume manufacturers. Notwithstanding S6.2(b) of this standard, vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2004 and before September 1, 2008 by a manufacturer that produces fewer than 5,000 vehicles annually for sale in the United States may meet the requirements of S6.2(a). Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2008 by small volume manufacturers must meet the requirements of S6.2(b).
S6.3 Side moving barrier crash. (a) Vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2004. When the vehicle is impacted laterally on either side by a barrier moving at 32 km/h with 50th percentile test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at positions required for testing to Standard No. 208 (49 CFR 571.208), under the applicable conditions of S7, fuel spillage must not exceed the limits of S5.5.
(b) Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2004. When the vehicle is impacted laterally on either side by a moving deformable barrier at 53 ± 1.0 km/h with the appropriate 49 CFR part 572 test dummies specified in 571.214 at positions required for testing by S7.1.1, S7.2.1, or S7.2.2 of Standard 214, under the applicable conditions of S7 of this standard, fuel spillage shall not exceed the limits of S5.5 of this standard.
(c)(1) Notwithstanding S6.3(b) of this standard, vehicles having a GVWR greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) may meet S6.3(a) instead of S6.3(b) of this standard until September 1, 2005.
(2) Notwithstanding S6.3(b) of this standard, vehicles having a GVWR greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) manufactured on or after September 1, 2005 must meet the requirements of S6.3(b) of this standard unless they are excluded from S6.3(b) under the phase-in specified in this paragraph. Excluded vehicles must meet the requirements of S6.3(a) of this standard. For vehicles having a GVWR greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) manufactured on or after September 1, 2005 and before September 1, 2006, the number of vehicles complying with S6.3(b) shall be not less than 90 percent of:
(i) The manufacturer's average annual production of vehicles with a GVWR greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) manufactured on or after September 1, 2002 and before September 1, 2005; or
(ii) The manufacturer's production of vehicles with a GVWR greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) on or after September 1, 2004 and before September 1, 2005.
(iii) Vehicles that have a GVWR greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) and that are manufactured on or after September 1, 2006 must meet the requirements of S6.3(b) of this standard.
(3) Vehicles produced by more than one manufacturer. For the purpose of calculating average annual production of vehicles for each manufacturer and the number of vehicles manufactured by each manufacturer under S6.3(c)(2)(i) and S6.3(c)(2)(ii) of this standard, a vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer shall be attributed to a single manufacturer as follows, subject to S6.3(c)(4).
(i) A vehicle which is imported shall be attributed to the importer.
(ii) A vehicle manufactured in the United States by more than one manufacturer, one of which also markets the vehicle, shall be attributed to the manufacturer that markets the vehicle.
(4) A vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer shall be attributed to any one of the vehicle's manufacturers specified by an express written contract, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under 49 CFR 568.6, between the manufacturer so specified and the manufacturer to which the vehicle would otherwise be attributed under S6.3(c)(3).
(d) Notwithstanding S6.3(b) of this standard, vehicles with a GVWR of 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) or less that are manufactured in two or more stages or altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR 567.7) after having been previously certified in accordance with part 567 of this chapter may meet S6.3(a) of this standard until September 1, 2005. Vehicles with a GVWR of 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) or less that are manufactured in two or more stages or altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR 567.7) after having been previously certified in accordance with part 567 of this chapter and that are manufactured on or after September 1, 2005 must meet the requirements of S6.3(b)
(e) Notwithstanding S6.3(b) and (c) of this standard, vehicles with a GVWR greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) that are manufactured in two or more stages or altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR 567.7) after having been previously certified in accordance with part 567 of this chapter may meet S6.3(a) of this standard until September 1, 2006. Vehicles with a GVWR greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) that are manufactured in two or more stages or altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR 567.7) after having been previously certified in accordance with part 567 of this chapter and that are manufactured on or after September 1, 2006 must meet the requirements of S6.3(b).
S6.4 Static rollover. When the vehicle is rotated on its longitudinal axis to each successive increment of 90°, following an impact crash of S6.1, S6.2, or S6.3, fuel spillage shall not exceed the limits of S5.6.
S6.5 Moving contoured barrier crash. When the moving contoured barrier assembly traveling longitudinally forward at any speed up to and including 48 km/h impacts the test vehicle (school bus with a GVWR exceeding 4,536 kg) at any point and angle, under the applicable conditions of S7.1 and S7.5, fuel spillage shall not exceed the limits of S5.5.
S6.6 Anti-siphoning test for alcohol fuel vehicles. Each vehicle shall have means that prevent any hose made of vinyl plastic or rubber, with a length of not less than 1200 millimeters (mm) and an outside diameter of not less than 5.2 mm, from contacting the level surface of the liquid fuel in the vehicle's fuel tank or fuel system, when the hose is inserted into the filler neck attached to the fuel tank with the fuel tank filled to any level from 90 to 95 percent of capacity.
S7. Test conditions. The requirements of S5.1 through S5.6 and S6.1 through S6.5 shall be met under the following conditions. Where a range is specified, the vehicle must be capable of meeting the requirements at all points within the range.
S7.1 General test conditions. The following conditions apply to all tests.
S7.1.1 The fuel tank is filled to any level from 90 to 95 percent of capacity with Stoddard solvent, having the physical and chemical properties of type 1 solvent, Table I of ASTM D484-71 (incorporated by reference, see § 571.5).
S7.1.2 The fuel system other than the fuel tank is filled with Stoddard solvent to its normal operating level.
S7.1.3 In meeting the requirements of S6.1 through S6.3, if the vehicle has an electrically driven fuel pump that normally runs when the vehicle's electrical system is activated, it is operating at the time of the barrier crash.
S7.1.4 The parking brake is disengaged and the transmission is in neutral, except that in meeting the requirements of S6.5 the parking brake is set.
S7.1.5 Tires are inflated to manufacturer's specifications.
S7.1.6 The vehicle, including test devices and instrumentation, is loaded as follows:
(a) Except as specified in S7.1.1, a passenger car is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight plus its rated cargo and luggage capacity weight, secured in the luggage area, plus the necessary test dummies as specified in S6., restrained only by means that are installed in the vehicle for protection at its seating position.
(b) Except as specified in S7.1.1, a multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, or bus with a GVWR of 4,536 kg or less is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight, plus the necessary test dummies as specified in S6, plus 136 kg or its rated cargo and luggage capacity weight, whichever is less, secured in the load carrying area and distributed as nearly as possible in proportion to its GAWR. For the purpose of this standard, unloaded vehicle weight does not include the weight of work-performing accessories. Each dummy is restrained only by means that are installed in the vehicle for protection at its seating position.
(c) Except as specified in S7.1.1, a school bus with a GVWR greater than 4,536 kg is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight, plus 54 kg of unsecured mass at each designated seating position.
S7.2 Side moving barrier test conditions. (a) Vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2004. The side moving barrier crash test conditions are those specified in S8.2 of Standard No. 208 (49 CFR 571.208).
(b) Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2004. The side moving deformable barrier crash test conditions are those specified in S8 of Standard 214 (49 CFR 571.214).
S7.3 Rear moving barrier test conditions. (a) Vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2006. The rear moving barrier test conditions are those specified in S8.2 of Standard No. 208 (49 CFR 571.208), except for the positioning of the barrier and the vehicle. The barrier and test vehicle are positioned so that at impact—
(1) The vehicle is at rest in its normal attitude;
(2) The barrier is traveling at 48 km/h with its face perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; and
(3) A vertical plane through the geometric center of the barrier impact surface and perpendicular to that surface coincides with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
(b) Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2006. The rear moving deformable barrier is the same as that shown in Figure 2 of Standard No. 214 (49 CFR 571.214) and specified in 49 CFR part 587, except as otherwise specified in paragraph S7.3 (b). The barrier and test vehicle are positioned so that at impact—
(1) The vehicle is stationary;
(2) The deformable face of the barrier is mounted on the barrier 50 mm (2 inches) lower than the height from the ground specified in Figure 2 of Standard No. 214 (49 CFR 571.214) (All dimensions from the ground in Figure 2, Front View should be reduced by 50 mm (2 inches.));
(3) The barrier is traveling 80 ±1.0 km/h; and
(4) The barrier impacts the test vehicle with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle parallel to the line of travel and perpendicular to the barrier face within a tolerance of ±5 degrees. The test vehicle and barrier face are aligned so that the barrier strikes the rear of the vehicle with 70 percent overlap toward either side of the vehicle. So aligned, the barrier face fully engages one half of the rear of the vehicle and partially engages the other half. At impact, the vehicle's longitudinal centerline is located inboard either of the side edges of the barrier by a distance equal to 20 percent of the vehicle's width ±50 mm ( see Figure 3). The vehicle's width is the maximum dimension measured across the widest part of the vehicle, including bumpers and molding, but excluding such components as exterior mirrors, flexible mud flaps, marker lamps, and dual rear wheel configurations.
S7.4 Static rollover test conditions. The vehicle is rotated about its longitudinal axis, with the axis kept horizontal, to each successive increment of 90°, 180°, and 270° at a uniform rate, with 90° of rotation taking place in any time interval from 1 to 3 minutes. After reaching each 90° increment the vehicle is held in that position for 5 minutes.
S7.5 Moving contoured barrier test conditions. The following conditions apply to the moving contoured barrier crash test.
S7.5.1 The moving barrier, which is mounted on a carriage as specified in Figure 1, is of rigid construction, symmetrical about a vertical longitudinal plane. The contoured impact surface, which is 629 mm high and 1,981 mm wide, conforms to the dimensions shown in Figure 2, and is attached to the carriage as shown in that figure. The ground clearance to the lower edge of the impact surface is 133 mm ±13 mm. The wheelbase is 3,048 mm ±50 mm.
S7.5.2 The moving contoured barrier, including the impact surface, supporting structure, and carriage, has a mass of 1,814 kg ±23 kg with the mass distributed so that 408 kg ±11 kg is at each rear wheel and 499 kg ±11 kg is at each front wheel. The center of gravity is located 1,372 mm ±38 mm rearward of the front wheel axis, in the vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry, 401 mm ±13 mm above the ground.
S7.5.3 The moving contoured barrier has a solid nonsteerable front axle and fixed rear axle attached directly to the frame rails with no spring or other type of suspension system on any wheel. (The moving barrier assembly is equipped with a braking device capable of stopping its motion.)
S7.5.4 The concrete surface upon which the vehicle is tested is level, rigid, and of uniform construction, with a skid number of 75 when measured in accordance with ASTM E274-65T (incorporated by reference, see § 571.5) at 64 km/h, omitting water delivery as specified in paragraph 7.1 of that method.
S7.5.5 The barrier assembly is released from the guidance mechanism immediately prior to impact with the vehicle.
S7.6 The moving barrier assemblies specified in S7.2, S7.3 and S7.5 are equipped with P205/75R15 pneumatic tires inflated to 200 kPa ±21 kPa.
S8 Phase-In schedule.
S8.1 Rear impact test upgrade. (a) Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2006 and before September 1, 2007. For vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2006, and before September 1, 2007, the number of vehicles complying with S6.2(b) of this standard must not be less than 40 percent of:
(1) The manufacturer's average annual production of vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2004, and before September 1, 2007; or
(2) The manufacturer's production on or after September 1, 2006, and before September 1, 2007.
(b) Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2007 and before September 1, 2008. For vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2007 and before September 1, 2008, the number of vehicles complying with S6.2(b) of this standard must not be less than 70 percent of:
(1) The manufacturer's average annual production of vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2005, and before September 1, 2008; or
(2) The manufacturer's production on or after September 1, 2007, and before September 1, 2008.
(c) Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2008. For vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2008, the number of vehicles complying with S6.2(b) of this standard must be 100 percent of the manufacturer's production during that period.
S8.2 Vehicles manufactured in two or more stages. A final stage manufacturer or alterer may, at its option, comply with the requirements set forth in S8.2.1 and S8.2.2.
S8.2.1 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2006 and before September 1, 2009 are not required to comply with the requirements specified in S6.2(b) of this standard.
S8.2.2 Vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2009 must comply with the requirements specified in S6.2(b) of this standard.
S8.3 Vehicles produced by more than one manufacturer.
S8.3.1 For the purpose of calculating average annual production of vehicles for each manufacturer and the number of vehicles manufactured by each manufacturer under S8.1, a vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer must be attributed to a single manufacturer as follows, subject to S8.3.2:
(a) A vehicle that is imported must be attributed to the importer.
(b) A vehicle manufactured in the United States by more than one manufacturer, one of which also markets the vehicle, must be attributed to the manufacturer that markets the vehicle.
S8.3.2 A vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer must be attributed to any one of the vehicle's manufacturers specified by an express written contract, reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under 49 CFR part 586, between the manufacturer so specified and the manufacturer to which the vehicle would otherwise be attributed under S8.3.1.
§ 571.302   Standard No. 302; Flammability of interior materials.
S1. Scope. This standard specifies burn resistance requirements for materials used in the occupant compartments of motor vehicles.
S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the deaths and injuries to motor vehicle occupants caused by vehicle fires, especially those originating in the interior of the vehicle from sources such as matches or cigarettes.
S3. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses.
S3A. Definitions. Occupant compartment air space means the space within the occupant compartment that normally contains refreshable air.
S4. Requirements.
S4.1 The portions described in S4.2 of the following components of vehicle occupant compartments shall meet the requirements of S4.3: Seat cushions, seat backs, seat belts, headlining, convertible tops, arm rests, all trim panels including door, front, rear, and side panels, compartment shelves, head restraints, floor coverings, sun visors, curtains, shades, wheel housing covers, engine compartment covers, mattress covers, and any other interior materials, including padding and crash-deployed elements, that are designed to absorb energy on contact by occupants in the event of a crash.
S4.1.1 [Reserved]
S4.2 Any portion of a single or composite material which is within 13 mm of the occupant compartment air space shall meet the requirements of S4.3.
S4.2.1 Any material that does not adhere to other material(s) at every point of contact shall meet the requirements of S4.3 when tested separately.
S4.2.2 Any material that adheres to other materials at every point of contact shall meet the requirements of S4.3 when tested as a composite with the other material(s).
Material A has a non-adhering interface with material B and is tested separately. Part of material B is within 13 mm of the occupant compartment air space, and materials B and C adhere at every point of contact; therefore, B and C are tested as a composite. The cut is in material C as shown, to make a specimen 13 mm thick.
S4.3(a) When tested in accordance with S5, material described in S4.1 and S4.2 shall not burn, nor transmit a flame front across its surface, at a rate of more than 102 mm per minute. The requirement concerning transmission of a flame front shall not apply to a surface created by cutting a test specimen for purposes of testing pursuant to S5.
(b) If a material stops burning before it has burned for 60 seconds from the start of timing, and has not burned more than 51 mm from the point where the timing was started, it shall be considered to meet the burn-rate requirement of S4.3(a).
S5.1 Conditions.
S5.1.1 The test is conducted in a metal cabinet for protecting the test specimens from drafts. The interior of the cabinet is 381 mm long, 203 mm deep, and 356 mm high. It has a glass observation window in the front, a closable opening to permit insertion of the specimen holder, and a hole to accommodate tubing for a gas burner. For ventilation, it has a 13 mm clearance space around the top of the cabinet, ten holes in the base of the cabinet, each hole 19 mm in diameter and legs to elevate the bottom of the cabinet by 10 mm, all located as shown in Figure 1.
S5.1.2 Prior to testing, each specimen is conditioned for 24 hours at a temperature of 21 °C, and a relative humidity of 50 percent, and the test is conducted under those ambient conditions.
S5.1.3 The test specimen is inserted between two matching U-shaped frames of metal stock 25 mm wide and 10 mm high. The interior dimensions of the U-shaped frames are 51 mm wide by 330 mm long. A specimen that softens and bends at the flaming end so as to cause erratic burning is kept horizontal by supports consisting of thin, heat-resistant wires, spanning the width of the U-shaped frame under the specimen at 25 mm intervals. A device that may be used for supporting this type of material is an additional U-shaped frame, wider than the U-shaped frame containing the specimen, spanned by 10-mil wires of heat-resistant composition at 25 mm intervals, inserted over the bottom U-shaped frame.
S5.1.4 A bunsen burner with a tube of 10 mm inside diameter is used. The gas adjusting valve is set to provide a flame, with the tube vertical, of 38 mm in height. The air inlet to the burner is closed.
S5.1.5 The gas supplied to the burner has a flame temperature equivalent to that of natural gas.
S5.2 Preparation of specimens.
S5.2.1 Each specimen of material to be tested shall be a rectangle 102 mm wide by 356 mm long, wherever possible. The thickness of the specimen is that of the single or composite material used in the vehicle, except that if the material's thickness exceeds 13 mm, the specimen is cut down to that thickness measured from the surface of the specimen closest to the occupant compartment air space. Where it is not possible to obtain a flat specimen because of surface curvature, the specimen is cut to not more than 13 mm in thickness at any point. The maximum available length or width of a specimen is used where either dimension is less than 356 mm or 102 mm, respectively, unless surrogate testing is required under S4.1.1.
S5.2.2 The specimen is produced by cutting the material in the direction that provides the most adverse test results. The specimen is oriented so that the surface closest to the occupant compartment air space faces downward on the test frame.
S5.2.3 Material with a napped or tufted surface is placed on a flat surface and combed twice against the nap with a comb having seven to eight smooth, rounded teeth per 25 mm.
S5.3 Procedure.
(a) Mount the specimen so that both sides and one end are held by the U-shaped frame, and one end is even with the open end of the frame. Where the maximum available width of a specimen is not more than 51 mm, so that the sides of the specimen cannot be held in the U-shaped frame, place the specimen in position on wire supports as described in S5.1.3, with one end held by the closed end of the U-shaped frame.
(b) Place the mounted specimen in a horizontal position, in the center of the cabinet.
(c) With the flame adjusted according to S5.1.4, position the bunsen burner and specimen so that the center of the burner tip is 19 mm below the center of the bottom edge of the open end of the specimen.
(d) Expose the specimen to the flame for 15 seconds.
(e) Begin timing (without reference to the period of application of the burner flame) when the flame from the burning specimen reaches a point 38 mm from the open end of the specimen.
(f) Measure the time that it takes the flame to progress to a point 38 mm from the clamped end of the specimen. If the flame does not reach the specified end point, time its progress to the point where flaming stops.
(g) Calculate the burn rate from the formula:
§ 571.303   Standard No. 303; Fuel system integrity of compressed natural gas vehicles.
S1. Scope. This standard specifies requirements for the integrity of motor vehicle fuel systems using compressed natural gas (CNG), including the CNG fuel systems of bi-fuel, dedicated, and dual fuel CNG vehicles.
S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries occurring from fires that result from fuel leakage during and after motor vehicle crashes.
S3. Application. This standard applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less and use CNG as a motor fuel. This standard also applies to school buses regardless of weight that use CNG as a motor fuel.
S4. Definitions.
Bi-fuel CNG vehicle means a vehicle equipped with two independent fuel systems, one of which is designed to supply CNG and the second to supply a fuel other than CNG.
CNG fuel container means a container designed to store CNG as motor fuel onboard a motor vehicle.
CNG fuel system means all components used to store or supply CNG to a vehicle's engine.
Dedicated CNG vehicle means a vehicle equipped with one fuel system and designed to operate on CNG.
Dual-fuel CNG vehicle means a vehicle which is fueled by two fuels simultaneously, one of which is CNG and the second is a fuel other than CNG.
High pressure portion of a fuel system means all the components from and including each CNG fuel container up to, but not including, the first pressure regulator.
Service pressure means the internal pressure of a CNG fuel container when filled to design capacity with CNG at 20 °Celsius (68 °Fahrenheit).
S5. General requirements.
S5.1 Vehicle requirements.
S5.1.1 Vehicles with GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. Each passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, and bus with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less that uses CNG as a motor fuel and that is manufactured on or after September 1, 1995 shall meet the requirements of S6, except S6.4.
S5.1.2 Schoolbuses with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds. Each schoolbus with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds that uses CNG as a motor fuel and that is manufactured on or after September 1, 1995 shall meet the requirements of S6.4.
S5.2 Fuel system pressure drop: barrier crash.
(a) For all vehicles, the pressure drop in the high pressure portion of the fuel system, expressed in kiloPascals (kPa), in any fixed or moving barrier crash from vehicle impact through the 60 minute period following cessation of motion shall not exceed:
(1) 1062 kPa (154 psi), or
(2) 895 (T/V FS ); whichever is higher
(b) For bi-fuel or dual fuel CNG vehicles, the test requirement in S5.2(a) shall apply to the CNG fuel system, and the test requirement of Standard No. 301 shall apply to the other fuel system, if that standard is applicable.
S5.3 Each CNG vehicle shall be permanently labeled, near the vehicle refueling connection, with the information specified in S5.3.1 and S5.3.2 of this section. The information shall be visible to a person standing next to the vehicle during refueling, in English, and in letters and numbers that are not less than 4.76 mm (3/16 inch) high.
S5.3.1 The statement: “Service pressure ______________________________ kPa (____________ psig).”
S5.3.2 The statement “See instructions on fuel container for inspection and service life.”
S5.4 When a motor vehicle is delivered to the first purchaser for purposes other than resale, the manufacturer shall provide the purchaser with a written statement of the information in S5.3.1 and S5.3.2 in the owner's manual, or, if there is no owner's manual, on a one-page document. The information shall be in English and in not less than 10 point type.
S6. Test requirements: fuel system integrity. Each vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less shall meet the requirements of any applicable barrier crash test. A particular vehicle need not meet further requirements after having been subjected to a single barrier crash test.
S6.1 Frontal barrier crash. When the vehicle traveling longitudinally forward at any speed up to and including 30 mph impacts a fixed collision barrier that is perpendicular to the line of travel of the vehicle, or at any angle up to 30 degrees in either direction from the perpendicular to the line of travel of the vehicle, with 50th percentile test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at each front outboard designated seating position and at any other position whose protection system is required to be tested by a dummy under the provisions of Standard No. 208, under the applicable conditions of S7, the fuel pressure drop shall not exceed the limits of S5.2.
S6.2 Rear moving barrier crash. When the vehicle is impacted from the rear by a barrier moving at any speed up to and including 30 mph, with test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at each front outboard designated seating position, under the applicable conditions of S7, the fuel pressure drop shall not exceed the limits of S5.2.
S6.3 Lateral moving barrier crash. When the vehicle is impacted laterally on either side by a barrier moving at any speed up to and including 20 mph with 50th percentile test dummies as specified in part 572 of this chapter at positions required for testing to Standard No. 208, under the applicable conditions of S7, the fuel pressure drop shall not exceed the limits of S5.2.
S6.4 Moving contoured barrier crash. When the moving contoured barrier assembly traveling longitudinally forward at any speed up to and including 30 mph impacts the test vehicle (schoolbus with a GVWR exceeding 10,000 pounds) at any point and angle, under the applicable conditions of S7, the fuel pressure drop shall not exceed the limits of S5.2.
S7. Test conditions. The requirements of S5 and S6 shall be met under the following conditions. Where a range of conditions is specified, the vehicle must be capable of meeting the requirements at all points within the range.
S7.1 General test conditions. The following conditions apply to all tests.
S7.1.1 Each fuel storage container is filled to 100 percent of service pressure with nitrogen, N 2 . The gas pressure shall stabilize to ambient temperature before testing may be conducted.
S7.1.2 After each fuel storage container is filled as specified in S7.1.1, the fuel system other than each fuel storage container is filled with nitrogen, N 2 , to normal operating pressures. All manual shutoff valves are to be in the open position.
S7.1.3 In meeting the requirements of S6.1 through S6.4, if the vehicle has an electrically driven fuel pump that normally runs when the vehicle's electrical system is activated, it is operating at the time of the barrier crash. If the vehicle has any high pressure electric shutoff valve that is normally open when the electrical system is activated, it is open at the time of the barrier crash. Furthermore, if any electric shutoff valve prevents sensing of system pressure by the pressure transducer when closed, it must be open for both the initial pressure measurement and the pressure measurement 60 minutes after the vehicle ceases motion from impact. Any valve shall be open for a period of one minute to equalize the system pressure.
S7.1.4 The parking brake is disengaged and the transmission is in neutral, except that in meeting the requirements of S6.4, the parking brake is set.
S7.1.5 Tires are inflated to manufacturer's specifications.
S7.1.6 The vehicle, including test devices and instrumentation, is loaded as follows:
(a) A passenger car, with its fuel system filled as specified in S7.1.1 and S7.1.2, is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight plus its rated cargo and luggage capacity weight, secured in the luggage area, plus the necessary test dummies as specified in S6, restrained only by means that are installed in the vehicle for protection at its seating position.
(b) A multipurpose passenger vehicle, truck, or bus with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, whose fuel system is filled as specified in S7.1.1 and S7.1.2, is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight, plus the necessary test dummies as specified in S6, plus 136.1 kilograms (kg.) (300 pounds (lb.)), or its rated cargo and luggage capacity weight, whichever is less, secured to the vehicle and distributed so that the weight on each axle as measured at the tire-ground interface is in proportion to its GAWR. Each dummy shall be restrained only by means that are installed in the vehicle for protection at its seating position.
(c) A schoolbus with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds, whose fuel system is filled as specified in S7.1.1 and S7.1.2, is loaded to its unloaded vehicle weight, plus 54.4 kg. (120 lb.) of unsecured weight at each designated seating position.
S7.1.7 The ambient temperature is not to vary more than 5.6 °C (10 °F) during the course of the test.
S7.1.8 The pressure drop measurement specified in S5.2 is to be made using a location on the high pressure side of the fuel system in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation.
S7.2 Lateral moving barrier crash test conditions. The lateral moving barrier crash test conditions are those specified in S8.2 of Standard No. 208, 49 CFR 571.208.
S7.3 Rear moving barrier test conditions. The rear moving barrier test conditions are those specified in S8.2 of Standard No. 208, 49 CFR 571.208, except for the positioning of the barrier and the vehicle. The barrier and test vehicle are positioned so that at impact—
(a) The vehicle is at rest in its normal attitude;
(b) The barrier is traveling at any speed up to and including 30 mph with its face perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle; and
(c) A vertical plane through the geometric center of the barrier impact surface and perpendicular to that surface coincides with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
S7.4 Moving contoured barrier test conditions. The moving contoured barrier crash test conditions are those specified in S7.5 of Standard No. 301, 49 CFR 571.301.